Devotionals By Chris Jordan

“So don’t be embarrassed to testify about our Lord or for me, His prisoner. Join us in suffering for the good news by the strength and power of God.” (2 Timothy 1:8).

I don’t like pain or suffering. In fact, I don’t know anyone who does. When I became a Christian over 30 years ago, however, I was told that if you put your faith in Jesus, you will experience good things only, and nothing bad will happen to you. But over the years, I have discovered that idea isn’t true. The reality is that suffering is a part of our lives.

I have been a student of the Bible for as long as I have been a Christian, reading and studying and dating on what’s written in it. And yet somehow, I never really noticed before how much the Bible actually has to say about suffering. It’s everywhere! In this one short letter that the Apostle Paul wrote to a young pastor named Timothy, the concept of suffering comes up again and again: 

“I am suffering. But I am not ashamed because I know him and I have put my trust in him.” (1:12).
“You have been with me through persecutions and sufferings.” (3:10-11).
“Tolerate suffering.” (4:5).

In what has been one of my life Scriptures, Paul says that suffering is a part of the package of knowing Jesus. “I want to know Him inside and out. I want to experience the power of His resurrection and join in His suffering, shaped by His death.” (Philippians 3:10). One of my greatest passions is to know Jesus more, and experience his resurrection power, but along with that comes experiencing suffering as well.

In another one of Paul’s letters, he tells a church about the reality of suffering here, too: “Now I rejoice in what I’ve suffered on your behalf, but even more suffering is ahead for me as I take on and complete what remains of the Anointed’s suffering for the sake of his body, the church.” (Colossians 1:24). 

Even Peter talks about it in his letters, too: “Since the Anointed suffered in the flesh, prepare yourselves to do the same.” (1 Peter 4:1). 

Consider the words from the commentary on this passage in The Voice translation: “The reality of suffering in the world causes many to question the existence of an all-powerful and all-loving God. A God of power and love is expected to be both able and willing to remove suffering from our lives. Ultimately, God will make all things new and end suffering, but for now God allows it and calls us to rejoice in the midst of it. Though we may not understand it, pain and suffering have a purpose in God’s plan, and our Creator is not immune to it. Through Jesus God enters into our suffering; now we are called to enter his.”

I know this hasn’t been the most encouraging devotional topic, but I hope that as you consider the reality of suffering that you will also take the Apostle Peter’s words to heart: “Dear ones, don’t be surprised when you experience your trial by fire. It is not something strange and unusual, but it is. something you should rejoice in. In it you share the Anointed’s sufferings, and you will be that much more joyful when His glory is revealed.” (1 Peter 4:12-13). 

(Scripture quotations in today’s devotional were taken from The Voice translation).