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We spend a lot of time trying to avoid suffering. This drive touches all areas of our life. It is the reason we spend years in school then many more years working at various jobs. That resistance to suffering pushes us to pay our bills on time so we do not encounter embarrassing surprises and adjustments to our lifestyle that signal stepping backward.
But, God has made it clear that suffering is a part of the deal when it comes to Him. There is almost no one of note in the Bible that didn't go through some period of distress. Moses was repeatedly challenged by the people God assigned Him to lead. David's own father-in-law tried to have him killed. And as if that wasn't bad enough, his son also wanted him dead. The disciples would enter cities and be insulted, physically assaulted, and chased out - all for sharing the gospel. And as for Jesus, He was crucified on a cross for being holy, healing the sick and teaching people to live godly lives. He used each of these people to do great things and their suffering contributed to their success as God's servants.
This is why God will not allow our suffering to ever be in vain. There is no challenge we experience that He will not use to bless us and glorify Himself. So much so, the Bible teaches that our suffering hardens us against sin, driving out the taste for the desires of the flesh. 1 Peter 4:1 - Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. We are to expect suffering but we must understand that it plays a role in pulling us away from sin and making us more serious about the Lord.
Think about Abraham who waited for an heir for so long that he and his wife opted to 'help' God resulting in the birth of Ishmael. Arguably, that wasn't the only mistake Abraham made. For instance, on two occasions, he lied saying that his wife, Sarah, was his sister. He did this because he feared others would see her as beautiful and kill him to have her. But when he turned 99, the Lord told him "I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers” (Genesis 17:1-2).
Abraham obeyed and within a year, Sarah birthed Isaac. After that, Abraham was so humbled before the Lord that when told to sacrifice the very child he'd prayed for, he didn't question the instruction. God had to stop him and declare him faithful (Genesis 22:12). His struggles and the way God got him out of them, curbed his desire for sin and increased his submission to the Almighty. Suffering can have a similar impact in our lives if we trust the Lord to usher us through painful periods and bring us to a place of blessing and peace.
Suffering as a Christian is an inconvenient truth. That said, God's promise is goodness for those who love Him and are called to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Thus, let us not avoid or reject how God chooses to train us for His purpose. We should give praise instead. Plus, the Bible promises that suffering is for a short time. 2 Corinthians 4:17 - For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. And, if we ask, He will provide a way for us to endure it and come out unscathed (1 Corinthians 10:13). It is not God's will for us to endlessly suffer. That is for sinners who will spend eternity in the lake of fire. And so, we shall endure some struggles now so we don't become the sinners who will share a resting place with satan. Praise God!
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