The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. Romans 8:16,17 ESV

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 1 Peter 2:21 ESV

It is an interesting observation. Whenever I write about topics such as suffering, the number of readers is far less than when I write about controversial issues in the Charismatic church or topics that peak curiosity. I understand. Suffering is low on the list of things we want to contemplate, and truthfully, we despise it. We have disdain for the mention of suffering in our lives. Whether it is a sickness, a struggle, a loss, or true persecution, we withdraw from the mention of this word. Maybe if we ignore it and we give no power to it with our words, it will go away. Some were taught to not talk about personal struggles as it would give power to them in the confession.

There is the belief that if we acknowledge suffering then we are not walking in Christ’s victory. The abundant life is painted with the brush of the here and now, and to embrace any level of suffering is to be without faith. Ironically, there is contentment with Christ suffering on our behalf. There is no discomfort in adorning a beautiful cross on our necks that compliments our perceived external beauty. Wearing the cross is not the same as bearing the cross. Discomfort comes in recalling Matthew 16:24, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and come after Me.” J.C. Ryle said, “If we are true Christians, we must not expect everything smooth in our journey to heaven. We must count it no strange thing if we have to endure sickness, losses, bereavements, and disappointments, just like other people. God has never promised that we will have no afflictions. He loves us too much to promise that.”

Bearing our cross kills every passion, every desire, and every ugly part of us we wish to not be granted the light of day. To bear our cross is to die to self. Suffering doesn’t draw the readers. It doesn’t issue rejoicing to the Lord though it should. 1 Peter 4:13 tells us, “But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory.” It is helpful to read Scripture so that we understand the reality of suffering as a believer in Christ, and in that understanding, we are comforted. We cannot ignore such passages. Granted, suffering for the sake of Christ has more to do with rejection and hostility in proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ and ministering what Scripture says in truth, holding more regard for the eternal well being of others than it does in enduring sickness, poverty, and the like. Suffering comes in loving God and loving neighbor as self in such acts.

However, as believers in Christ, should we face trials in this life, as we are promised by our Beloved Savior we inevitably will (John 16:33), we can suffer well, offering praise and thanksgiving to Him in all circumstances, trusting Him in every wave of the storm, and fixing our gaze upward to where He is seated, knowing that He works all things for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

This was a message I heard very little through the years. Suffering was given little to no air time. It was improperly understood, and some of that was my own fault for not searching the Scriptures in my private time. Now years later, reading such passages as Romans 8:16,17 brings pause and reflection. There is no reigning with Christ without suffering. You and I cannot claim to be children of God and co-heirs with Christ while despising suffering. This is a stipulation of being a child of God and a co-heir with Christ. 2 Timothy 2:12 says, “If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him.” The apostle Paul encouraged fellow believers in Philippi that they had been granted to not only believe in Christ but to suffer as Christ had suffered (Philippians 1:29). Paul encourages the Corinthian church that their momentary affliction was preparing them for an eternal weight of glory (2 Corinthian 4:17). That glory is looking to Christ.

Truthfully, I am still ill equipped in suffering for the sake of Christ. What backlash I face in loss of relationships, hostile comments, name calling, and conversations avoided though welcomed is miniscule compared to true persecution and the loss of one’s life to gain Christ. I am concerned for others who are ill equipped for true persecution and have believed that suffering is beneath them or absent in the life of a Christian. Suffering comes to us all, no matter what we believe. It is the nature of a fallen world. But suffering for the sake of Christ is honorable. I encourage you today, dear Christian, to search the Scriptures if you have not already and to understand what is said about suffering. The Word says more about the certainty of suffering than you might want to hear, but you and I need to hear it. Do not wear cross as if meant to compliment your ensemble. Bear your cross and follow Him. There is peace in suffering which can only come from our faith and hope in Christ, the suffering Servant.