The purpose of suffering in Christ

Philippians 1:²⁹For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, ³⁰engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

Paul writes encouragement in his letter to the Philippians. It seems that he is addressing their concern for him being in prison and being afflicted. Maybe the Philippians were questioning God's sovereignty with things like, "If God is so great, why is Paul suffering so much?" Paul makes it clear that the life of one who follows Christ may be filled with suffering, but it is for Jesus' sake. As Jesus' disciples, we do not only have the gift of believing in Jesus, but the gift of partaking in His suffering as well.

So, why be a Christian if we must suffer with Christ? What is there to gain? Well, the suffering in Christ is the only suffering that brings gain. Suffering happens in life, there is no avoiding it. However, without Jesus, suffering only leads to loss and pain. It leads to death. I am a fool to think that I should assume that Jesus is my bubble. It's true that Jesus sends the Holy Spirit to guide me in truth and that I can put on the armor of Christ, but that doesn't circumvent suffering. Not that I even can say that I suffer! The things that I consider suffering are so minor. Like bouncing Lion to sleep for 30 minutes...just because he's heavy and my back gets sore, I'm ok. I'm not in a lot of pain. I'm not even required to go through that pain, I choose to do it so I can get Lion to fall asleep faster. There are those who are really suffering for Christ. When I went to Argentina, I saw people who lived among the poor so that they can offer health care and the gospel to them. Those places had no running water, nor electricity, nor heaters (it was winter at the time), and no clean toilets. I could go on about the lack of convenience. I am truthfully spoiled. I really don't thank God everyday for all the blessings that He has showered upon me. And to think that I get all frustrated over lack of sleep and pain in bouncing my baby! My mind isn't set on the things of Christ. I need to really use this time to do a heart check and repent. I shouldn't shun suffering because it is inevitable. But with Christ in my life, I gain from that suffering.

Heavenly Father, please forgive me for complaining. Please forgive me for being so selfish and for praying for my "suffering" to go away. I rejoice in my suffering. I thank You that Your grace abounds within my life. I am so grateful for the life You have blessed me with. Please renew my mind. Form my heart. May all my selfishness be drained away. Replace my ways with the ways of Christ. Jesus, thank You for suffering for my sake. Thank You for attaching a purpose and a hope to suffering so that I may gain from that which formerly only led to death. I ask for my inner parts to be radically transformed. I see a lot of filth within me that only You can clean out. I love You, Lord. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.