The Value of Suffering

Let’s read our theme verse for the series together.

James 4:8 CSB

8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

James

This morning we are going to talk about a subject that is throughout the Bible, but is largely missing from conversation today. It is not a fun thing to talk about, but it is very necessary. If we don’t have a biblical understanding of this subject, then we will miss what God is doing in our lives. Many people don’t respond well to it. We seek to avoid it. We definitely want to shorten it if we have to go through it at all. We instinctively know that it is inevitable. We are going to experience it at some point to some degree in our lives. Some of you are experiencing it right now. You are in a place where life is taking more than it is giving. You are suffering. Today, we are going to talk about how suffering is valuable to our lives.

Often the Bible compares spiritual training to physical training. One of the sayings that I hear often in exercise and fitness classes is “trust the process.” You have to stay with it and you can’t quit. I have been serious about my physical condition for about two years or so. I can’t tell you the amount of people who start the regimens, only to quit three weeks later. Things got hard. They got a little sore and they stopped. They thought the pain wasn’t worth it. Let me tell you, when I first started, it was hard. It is still hard. It is never easy, but the results of the training are great for me. As I progress, I continue to increase the difficulty. Growth comes through the difficulty.

1. Suffering is valuable.

Our spiritual life of faith is very much like physical conditioning. Faith grows in times of difficulty and in times of suffering. Many times we seek to get out of the difficulties of life or at least shorten them; however, the blessing is on the other end of the suffering. By removing, shortening, or avoiding troubles; we are really hurting ourselves and stifling the growth.

Of course, this is not to say that we go looking for problems, that would be crazy. God allows these things to happen for our growth. You see, suffering has value.

1. Suffering is valuable. ()

Romans 5:3–4 CSB

3 And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, 4 endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope.

The word Paul uses for afflictions is the word thlipsis. It means tribulations and refers to the pressures, hardships, and sufferings. The word is about the distress brought about by circumstances. (Rogers, p. 324)

θλιβω (thlipsis) - tribulations - “The word refers to pressures, hardships, and sufferings, the distress brought about by circumstances”

I think we have all been there in our lives. We have work pressures, school pressures, and family pressures. We experience hardships. We are distressed by the events that happen to us and all around us. The interesting thing about what Paul says is that we are to rejoice in our afflictions. Doesn’t that seem counterintuitive? Doesn’t that seem backward? I don’t rejoice when my boat is broken. Actually, my boat was totaled by the insurance company last week. How can I rejoice when my fence blows down or part of the steeple falls off the church? How can I rejoice when bad things are happening?

We have an InstaPot™. How many of you have an InstaPot™? How many of you use your InstaPot™? Well, as far as I understand an InstaPot™, it is a pressure cooker. The pressure builds up in the cooking chamber to cook the food faster. My wife makes yogurt, stews, and all kinds of things in it. I use it to make chicken broth. If I were to make a broth through the traditional method, it would take 10-12 hours on the stove. Using the InstaPot™, the broth is done in less than 3 hours. The pressure shortens the process. The pressure is what brings about the change.

nstaPot™. How many of you have an Instapot? How many of you use your Instapot? Well, as far as I understand an Instapot, it is a pressure cooker. The pressure builds up in the cooking chamber to cook the food faster. My wife makes yogurt, stews, and all kinds of things in it. I use it to make chicken broth. If I was to make a broth through the traditional method, it would take 10-12 hours on the stove. Using the Instapot, the broth is done in less than 3 hours. The pressure shortens the process. The pressure is what brings about the change.

InstaPot™. How many of you have an Instapot? How many of you use your Instapot? Well, as far as I understand an Instapot, it is a pressure cooker. The pressure builds up in the cooking chamber to cook the food faster. My wife makes yogurt, stews, and all kinds of things in it. I use it to make chicken broth. If I was to make a broth through the traditional method, it would take 10-12 hours on the stove. Using the Instapot, the broth is done in less than 3 hours. The pressure shortens the process. The pressure is what brings about the change.

Likewise, in our lives, the pressures, afflictions, and sufferings have a purpose. It is the hard times which produce strong people. If all you ever had were good times, you would be a weak person. It is because of the difficulties of life that you are made strong.

Parents, I want to talk to you for just a moment. Don’t rob your children of the hard times in their lives. If you rob them of the struggles, they will not be strong. I know that you want them to have a better life than you did, but remember how you arrived at the place you are. It was the struggles in your life that made you strong. If you take away all of their problems, they will not grow up to be the men and women of God that they need to be. I watch parents who baby their children and unfortunately, so many times, they live to regret it. They will learn more through their failures than they will through their successes. True freedom includes the freedom to fail. We have forgotten that principle. God allows us to struggle so that we will grow. He could just step in and remove all you problems, but he doesn’t. If God, who is good, allow his children to develop in this way, so should we with our children.

You see, suffering is valuable and we can rejoice in our suffering because suffering produces character and hope.

2. Character and hope are the results of suffering. ()

Romans 5:3–4 CSB

3 And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, 4 endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope.

Think about the inverse of what Paul is saying. Lack of difficulty produces an inability to keep going. Lack of fortitude results in lack of good character. A lack of good character leads to hopelessness. Do you realize, according to the CDC, the suicide rate has jumped by 33% from 1999 to 2017. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for 10-34 year olds. Do you think there is a correlation between the lack of parenting in our society and the suicide rate? I do. It is a chain reaction. They have no hope because their character is flawed. Their character is flawed because they have never were taught how to deal with the hardships of life. Now, I am not saying that all suicide is linked in this way; however, I do think that hopelessness is a main contributor.

Paul is making a major case for the value of suffering and we have rejected that concept. In rejecting the value of suffering, we are robbing ourselves of endurance, good character, and hope! Good character is missing from our society and our communities. Good character is made on the proving grounds. It is the result of being tested. The word Paul uses for proven character is the word δοκιμαζω (dokime) and it means to examine, to try out by testing, to prove that something is genuine.

δοκιμαζω (dokime) to examine, to try out by testing, to prove that something is genuine

This word was used of metal passing through the fire. It is like a test drive. The sales person has told you all about how great the car is, but you don’t just take his word for it. You take it on a test drive. The manufacturer claims their product is the best thing since sliced bread, but you have to try it out for yourself. You will know pretty quickly if the claims they made are true. Suffering is the proving grounds for good character. You can say you love God and trust him, but what will happen when you are on the proving grounds of suffering? How will you handle the troubles? Will you come through stronger and full of hope? The difficulties of life either make or break us. If you have taken shortcuts or avoided the problems of life by running away from them, ignoring them, or preventing them; when the real hard times comes, you will not be able to stand because you will not be strong enough.

Think about an athlete who wants to compete. The athlete trains constantly and incessantly. They are sore. They get worn out. They push themselves to the limits. When I was coaching, I would tell my team that I wanted practice to be harder than the game, so when it was game time they would have the conditioning to make it easier to push on. What if the athlete doesn’t train and doesn’t work hard. You go from this to that.

<show picture of Thor>

I am not going to ruin the Endgame, but Thor was without hope and look what it did to him.

We stay faithful no matter what; because endurance through troubles produces proven character and proven character produces hope. This is not “I want it to happen or I desire it to happen. Biblical hope is the confident expectation that God will do what he says he will do. Biblical hope is trusting in the promises of God. Biblical hope knows the flood is coming, but trusts that God will bring them back to solid ground. Biblical hope is seeing the armies of Pharaoh bearing down on you and your back is to the Red Sea, but you are trusting in God to make a way when there is no way. Biblical hope is when you are in a prison singing at midnight because you know that God is not going to allow his precious children to be destroyed. Biblical hope is based in the character of God. This is when we draw closer to Christ because we know that is where our help is found. Suffering has value because when it is endured; it produces proven character and hope.

3. Suffering is the best context to learn about God’s love and the presence of the Holy Spirit. ()

Romans 5:5 CSB

5 This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

This hope, this confident expectation that God will come through for us in a real and powerful way, will not disappoint us. The word for disappoint is the word αισχρος (aischros) and it means to put to shame.

αισχρος (aischros) - to put to shame

We feel shame, or at least we should, when we promise something and do not deliver what we promised. You promised to be there for your child’s game, but you let work get in the way. You forgot your anniversary or your spouses birthday. You promised to take care of something, but you forgot. These are times we feel shame because we didn’t come through like we said we would. However, the hope, the confident expectation we have in God will never result in shame. God has already given us the presence of the Holy Spirit as a foretaste and a certification of the future we will possess in Christ. The hope produced by proven character is empowering because it is fueled by God’s love through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.

2 Corinthians 1:22 CSB

22 He has also put his seal on us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a down payment.

Our hope rests firmly in the faithfulness of God’s love and it will never disappoint us and bring us shame. It is when we are going through the storms of life that we come to value the presence of the Holy Spirit. It is when we are in trouble that we realize how much Jesus loves us because he suffered for us. He voluntarily suffered and gave up his life for us. No one took his life from him. He gave it up. Through his suffering, we are healed. God’s love was written in the blood of Jesus on the cross at Calvary. Jesus proved his character in his willingness to suffer for you. He demonstrated his love for us.

Romans 5:8 CSB

8 But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

When you are called to suffer, realize that it is a high calling. It is a calling to press into, to draw closer to Jesus. God is entrusting you with the difficulties and he is not going to waste it. David wrote,

Philippians 3:9–10 CSB

9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law, but one that is through faith in Christ—the righteousness from God based on faith. 10 My goal is to know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death,

Philippians 3:10 CSB

10 My goal is to know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death,

Paul said one of his goals was to know the power of the fellowship of Jesus’ sufferings. Fellowship is about bonding together for a shared purpose and goal. Paul viewed suffering as a fellowship with Jesus. Was Paul some kind of sadist? No, I don’t think Paul liked to suffer because then he would be crazy. Paul knew the truth of God’s word. He was on a pursuit of pressing into Jesus; of drawing closer to Jesus.

Philippians 3:13–14 CSB

13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, 14 I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.

Phil 3:

His eyes were not on his present circumstance or troubles. He was in a race and he decided to press on, no matter what troubles and suffering came.

Psalm 56:8 CSB

8 You yourself have recorded my wanderings. Put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?

In David’s mind, God is keenly aware of what you are going through. It is as he is writing it all down in a book. Your suffering will not be forgotten. God knows what you are going through. You might think, “Well if he knows, why won’t he do something about it?” He is. He is making you stronger. He is building your character. He is giving you the confident expectation that all he has promised is true. He never promised to prevent the troubles of your life. He did promise to never leave us or forsake us. The writer of Hebrews quoted the Old Testament when he wrote:

Joshua 1:5 CSB

5 No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. I will be with you, just as I was with Moses. I will not leave you or abandon you.

Hebrews 13:5–6 CSB

5 Keep your life free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for he himself has said, I will never leave you or abandon you. 6 Therefore, we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

Hebrews

I have used this illustration before, but I think it fits here so well.

Once upon a time, there was a man who was sleeping at night in his cabin when suddenly his room filled with light and the Saviour appeared. The Lord told the man He had work for him to do, and showed him a large rock in front of his cabin. The Lord explained that the man was to push against the rock with all his might. This the man did, day after day. For many years he toiled from sun up to sun down, his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock, pushing with all his might.

Each night the man returned to his cabin sore and worn out, feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain. Seeing that the man was showing signs of discouragement, Satan decided to enter the picture placing thoughts into the man's mind such as: "You have been pushing against that rock for a long time, and it hasn't budged. Why kill yourself over this? You are never going to move it." Thus giving the man the impression that the task was impossible and that he was a failure.

These thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man even more. "Why kill myself over this?" he thought. "I'll just put in my time, giving just the minimum of effort and that will be good enough." And that he planned to do until one day he decided to make it a matter of prayer and take his troubled thoughts to the Lord.

"Lord," he said, "I have laboured long and hard in your service, putting all my strength to do that which you have asked. Yet, after all this time, I have not even budged that rock a half a millimeter. What is wrong? Why am I failing?" To this the Lord responded compassionately, "My child, when long ago I asked you to serve me and you accepted, I told you that your task was to push against the rock with all your strength, which you have done. Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it. Your task was to push.

And now you come to me, your strength spent, thinking that you have failed. But, is that really so? Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled, your back sinewed and brown, your hands are callused from constant pressure, and your legs have become massive and hard. Through opposition, you have grown much and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have. Yet you haven't moved the rock. But your calling was to be obedient and to push and to exercise your faith and trust in My wisdom. This you have done. I, my child, will now move the rock." (Source unknown)

(Source unknown

Endure the troubles of life faithfully. It is building up your endurance which leads to proven character. Proven character produces the confidence in God’s promises. In the times of hardship, press into Christ.

Pray.

Father God, I am confident there are people here today who are in times of difficulty. Strengthen them. Be their fortress and strength. Be their ever present help in their time of need. Let them feel your presence and know that you are need. Uphold them with your righteous right hand. Bring joy to those who are suffering. We put our trust in you because we are confident that you will never fail us and all you have promised is true. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

With heads bowed and eyes closed, I believe there are people here today and you know what the problem is in your life. You are not in a relationship with God. Let me tell you about who God is and the problem that we have. Our problem is our sin nature. We sin. We rebel against God’s ways. We do wrong things. Our sin separates us from God. This is amazing. God loved the world and he didn’t want us to remain dead in our sins. Sin leads to death. God doesn’t want anyone to die because he wants to be with us. The good news is that Jesus, who is God, came to earth and took on flesh. The Bible says that Jesus’ name would be Emmanuel, meaning God with us. Jesus who is perfect in every way because the sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sins. Jesus died in our place and rose from the grave to prove that everything he claimed is true. The Bible says that anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. The Lord is Jesus. Anyone who calls on Jesus’ name will be saved. You will be forgiven of your sins and you will be transformed.

I believe there are people here today and you know what the problem is in your life. You are not in a relationship with God. Let me tell you about who God is and the problem that we have. Our problem is our sin nature. We sin. We rebel against God’s ways. We do wrong things. Our sin separates us from God. This is amazing. God loved the world and he didn’t want us to remain dead in our sins. Sin leads to death. God doesn’t want anyone to die because he wants to be with us. The good news is that Jesus, who is God, came to earth and took on flesh. The Bible says that Jesus’ name would be Emmanuel, meaning God with us. Jesus who is perfect in every way because the sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sins. Jesus died in our place and rose from the grave to prove that everything he claimed is true. The Bible says that anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. The Lord is Jesus. Anyone who calls on Jesus’ name will be saved. You will be forgiven of your sins and you will be transformed.

I believe there are people here today who need Jesus. You can’t work your way to him. You can’t be religious enough for him. You receive the free gift of eternal life through the grace of Jesus Christ. You call on his name and when you do, he will hear your prayer, forgive your sin, and make you brand new. Your old life will be gone and you new life will begin. Come to Jesus this morning.

Pray with me, “Heavenly Father, forgive me for my sins, make me new. I ask Jesus to be my Savior and to be the Lord of my life, first in every way. My life is not my own, I give it to you. Thank you for new life. In Jesus’ name, I pray.”

If you prayed that prayer, we are so happy that you have become a part of the family of God. Your life has just been transformed. We would like to ask you to do this one thing for us. We want to walk with you in this new journey. Take out your Connection Card and check the box that says you want more information about becoming a follower of Jesus Christ. One of the leaders here at the church will get in contact with you this week and talk to you more about what it means to follow Jesus. Take that Connection Card and put it in the offering plate when it is passed at the end of worship. We want to celebrate the new life you have in Christ.

Also, in just a moment, we are going to stand to sing. Some of the deacons are going to be in the the back of the worship center. If you prayed to receive Christ and want to talk with someone today about what it means to follow Christ, I want you to slip out of your row and come and go talk to them. We want to meet you and pray for you. Also, we have some information that will help you understand more about your new life in Christ.

Before we close, brothers and sisters, are you in a time of trial right now? One of the things we are supposed to be doing as the family of God is to be bearing one another’s burdens. We are supposed to be supporting each other. If you are in a time of difficulty and trial, when we begin singing, I want you to slip out of your row and come kneel down at the front. Then, I want others to slip out of their rows and come and pray with you. Let’s bear one another’s burden. Don’t be proud or ashamed. You are not showing weakness. This is one of the reason the church family exists. Slip out of your row, come down front, and kneel in prayer. Let others pray with you.

Close.