Suffer Not in Vain

“Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?” –Galatians 3:4

Suffering eases for the Christian as we know suffering is temporary. Scripture tells us any trouble the Christian suffers here cannot compare to the glory that will be revealed to us (Romans 8:18), encouraging the church to pray for any Christian sufferer (James 5:13). The Christian is encouraged to know our suffering has a divine purpose for us to rejoice in the Lord, producing endurance, character, and hope (Romans 5:3-5).

Suffering is worth all the loss to know the surpassing worth of Jesus Christ (Philippians3:8). And we are warned beforehand we as Christians are to suffer (I Thessalonians 3:3-4). And for the sake of the gospel of Christ, to know that by faith alone in Christ alone we are forgiven, cleansed, and promised everlasting life to delight in the Lord forever, our suffering in this life is not in vain.

Yet, this suggests that there is a suffering that is in vain. The suffering which does not lead to dependence on the Lord is a wasted suffering. The suffering which is alone, separate from Christ’s people in a local church is a wasted suffering. To be comforted by the Father of mercies and God of all comforts is in turn to be used to comfort others within the local church (II Corinthians1:3-4).

But, faithfulness in suffering can be counted “in all joy” when we lack nothing (James 1:2-4), or as Paul puts it, learn the secret to contentment (Philippians 4:11-13). That is, satisfaction in Christ whether we have plenty or nothing, free or imprisoned, brought low or abounding.

So, a few lessons I’ve learned in studying Scripture and the experience of suffering. We Christians suffer to know real joy is in the Lord and not in this world. Paul says in II Corinthians 4:17, “this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” Notice, Paul calls suffering both light and momentary. It’s brief, as this life is short. Eternity delighting in the Lord is far greater joy than any happiness here.

We suffer for other people’s sake. Part of the teaching one another and serving one another commands is being active in a healthy local church where you may learn the lessons of those faithfully enduring suffering and grief and in turn teaching others through Scripture God’s faithfulness and goodness in your own experiences.

Also, we suffer to be like Jesus. We suffer with Jesus in order that we may also be glorified with Him (Romans 8:17). Our sufferings are not randomly placed, but has divine purpose to rely on God who raises the dead, following Jesus who is leading us heavenward.

God designs suffering for our good, yet He promises to comfort us in our affliction. God “heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3). God who never changes promises to never forsake His own (Hebrews 13:5).

The Christian sees God’s purpose in suffering, and suffering is never wasted. Never “in vain.” The worldly person suffers without hope, without resurrection hope. The worldly person suffers without comfort in God’s very present help and without hope of eternal life delighting in Him.

Friend, if you are reading this despairing, you can have this Christian hope even now. Turn from your ways and turn your mind to Jesus. Jesus suffered willingly, though sinless He became sin receiving the punishment sinners deserve. This is a depth of divine love to reconcile hopeless sinners to delight in God forever. Trust in Him, even right now as you read this. And I pray even now your eyes are opened to the glories of God’s promise of everlasting life for all who believe upon Jesus, seeing God’s design and purpose to suffering in this vapor-like life.

Heavenly Father, I pray that you open the eyes of each reader to see Your glory in Jesus Christ who suffered, died, and rose again to make sinners clean and promise life to those perishing by forgiving sinners and justifying sinners through Jesus Christ the Righteous One. Help us understand Your holy purposes in our pains with the hope of everlasting life with You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.