Suffer…to the Glory of God
When non-Christians consider suffering, they typically do not consider a Christian living a life of sanctification.
I have met a lot of people who think that it should be all rainbows and sunshine once God redeems you. I recently heard a talk given by someone, who I believe is a true believer-in-Christ, who said that “God doesn’t call us to suffer”. Insert that cartoon character whose mouth drops open, and eyes go wide. Yeah, that was me. Ahem, what?!
What the Bible Says
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. (1 Peter 4:12-16)
Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. (1 Peter 4:19)
Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance. (Romans 5:3)
Defining Terms
To fully understand what it means to suffer, or face trials and tribulations, let’s look at some definitions.
According to the King James Version dictionary, a trial is defined as “experience; suffering that puts strength, patience on faith to the test; afflictions or temptations that exercise and prove the grace or virtues of men” as well as “temptation; test of virtue”.
Tribulation is defined by the same dictionary as “severe affliction, distresses of life; vexations. In Scripture, it often denotes the troubles and distresses which proceed from persecution”.
Finally, the definition of suffering is “The bearing of pain, inconvenience or loss; pain endured; distress, loss or injury incurred; as sufferings by pain or sorrow; sufferings by want or by wrongs”.
Common to all of these are afflictions or temptations, distress, and bearing pain. These are some of the things that we, as Christians, are guaranteed. James 1:2 does not say if, it says when. “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,”. James goes on to say in verses 3-4 “for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing”.
A Biblical Case Study
God does not tempt because he does not desire his people to sin. However, God will allow you to be tempted by the enemy for the glory of a sovereign God. It may be the same instance. It may be a trial for God’s purpose, and a temptation from Satan, simultaneously.
Look at the example of Job.
The Lord said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.” And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.” (Job 1:6-12)
Satan proceeds to take away Job’s donkeys, his sheep, his camels, and his children. In the next chapter, Satan causes Job to be covered in painful boils. During this time, Job could have come to God with complaints, and lost faith, but did he? NO! “Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshipped. And he said, ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:20-21)
Final Thoughts
Just because you are a Christian, or a good person, that doesn’t mean that you are going to live a life full of puppies, rainbows, and sunshine. Life is hard. Life is challenging. Satan seeks to kill, steal, and destroy. BUT GOD. “Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.” (Isaiah 48:10) Everything God does and allows is furthering his eternal purpose, His decree.
We go through the fires of afflictions, distresses, and vexations to refine us, just as a silversmith refines and purifies silver. Do you know why that is important, or how a silversmith does that? A silversmith holds a piece of silver over the fire letting it heat up. He must hold it in the flames where it is the hottest to burn away all the impurities. This silversmith must sit in front of the fire the entire time the refining process is happening because if he ever takes his eyes off it and leaves the silver in the fire a moment too long, the silver is destroyed. When it is complete and fully refined, the silversmith can see his image in it. In other words, we are sanctified in our suffering.
In sanctification, God infuses us with such grace that we become inwardly more righteous in our lives. Trials and temptations are just the refining fire that we endure. Paul writes, “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13 NASB 95)
God is our silversmith, and we are the silver. He keeps his eye on us while we go through the fire of life's adversities so that He can pull us out lest we be destroyed. God is sovereign. God is omnipresent, omnipotent, and omniscient. God knew all before we were even conceived in our mother’s womb. God knew the trials and sufferings we would endure, but because HE IS GOD, and HE IS SOVEREIGN. These things happen for HIS GLORY.
That is why we count it joy when we face trials, that we know our faith is being tested to produce endurance, and our reward is not here on earth, but in the Kingdom of Heaven.
