Siderailing the Affects of Suffering

My 2020 Testimony

Ministry during COVID

Elder board fell apart

Girls got married

In-laws moved in

Other challenges

I know I’m not the only one who experienced suffering during 2020. I know that my 2020 suffering is comparatively less severe than, perhaps some in this room and certainly beyond. I know many of us here today know what it is to experience a season of suffering and as a result, feel as if our entire world falls apart. That the rug has been pulled out from under us.

But for those of us who are in Christ, that is for those of us who have been unified to Christ through His redemptive work and the indwelling of the Spirit of God, we know that though our suffering may be severe, it is not the ultimate or final conclusion of our lives.

But to avoid living as if we believe our suffering possesses more defining power than it actually does for the people of God, we need to have a right theology of suffering. In other words, we need to understand our suffering through the lense of Scripture.

The Reality of Suffering

There is a promise of sorts that Jesus makes to His disciples (and to all His disciples today) that may not appear to be very reassuring or comforting.

John 16:33 (ESV)

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation........”

Now if you are looking at this verse in your Bibles, you will know that the 2nd half of that verse provides encouragement, but before we get there, I want us to consider the larger context of Jesus’ words in this chapter

John 16:16–22 ESV

“A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.” So some of his disciples said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’; and, ‘because I am going to the Father’?” So they were saying, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We do not know what he is talking about.” Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’? Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.

Jesus pointed out the disciples’ missing the point.

Jesus tells them that after He is gone to the Father, the are going to suffer.

What does the fact that while we suffer the world rejoices make clear about the nature of our suffering? (v. 20)

What does the analogy of child birth in v. 21 make clear about our suffering

Pain is part of the journey

It’s worth it

It’s not final

It has a purpose

Now, I want to go to another familiar passage of Scripture to think through the purpose of our suffering, but we will come back to John 16 to consider the 2nd half of v. 33.

James 1:2–3 ESV

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

In all likelihood, this will not be the first time you have heard this question, but why should we count it all joy when we experience various kinds of trials?

What is necessary to be true about us in order to experience joy and suffering at the same time?

Summarize the purpose of our suffering based upon verses 3 & 4.

Often our suffering includes loss. How is it possible that our suffering results in us not lacking anything?

perfect = without blemish

complete = possessing all that is needed

What does this lacking in nothing look like?

going to God for wisdom to navigate the difficulties of our lives and rejecting what the world puts forth as good sense (v. 5)

Not doubting God, but exercising steadfast faith in His promises (v. 6-7)

Not being infatuated or consumed by the world but allowing eternity to prevail in our perspective our lives. This world is passing away, but Christ is working in and through us will last. (v. 9-11)

Possessing all these qualities, that is to be people who do these things, live these things, center our way of life on these realities is to be Christ-like, and that is the purpose of our suffering. And knowing that God works through our suffering to bring about these things is the key to having joy in the midst of our suffering. So when we suffer, yes we experience the pain of it, but we also preach to ourselves, God is at work.

But back to John 16.

John 16:33 ESV

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Why ultimately should we not conclude that our suffering is evidence of defeat or that it is the final conclusion of our experience?

What limitations to suffering are made clear in this verse?

But we need to contend with our suffering in a way that honors God. Yes, we possess joy, knowing that God is at work in our suffering. But, something I have come to learn through some of my own recent suffering is that one key in not living as if my suffering in the final defining factor of my life is to keep being faithful to who God has called me to be and what He has called me to do.

John 4:34 ESV

Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.

Certainly don’t want to misuse this verse and take it out of context. Jesus had just had His infamous conversation with the woman at the well and while the disciples were trying to process that Jesus just spoke to a Samaritan who was also a woman, they wanted to make sure He was keeping us His strength, so they encouraged Him to eat something. And Jesus takes that moment as an opportunity to teach them something. There was so much to be done. So many people who needed to hear the gospel.

What keeps us going is to continue to do the work Jesus has called us to do. We may be tempted to allow our suffering to direct us to stop. Stop living for the glory of Christ. Stop serving in the church. Stop being with the church. Stop reaching the lost. Jesus says, what will energize you, sustain you in your suffering is to do the will of Him who sent you.