What's So Good About Suffering - Part 2

In the past few days, I have been deeply touched by the testimony of a family in Cedar Falls, Iowa who have glorified God through an incredibly tragic accident that affected their 22 month old son. Thousands of people have banded together along side them to pray for their son & this family. They have sung praises to God, not knowing whether or not their son would live or die. The message of God's only Son, Jesus, who came to die for all mankind so that people may have eternal life, has spread because of this terrible accident. Some have accepted Christ as their Lord & Savior through the sharing of this suffering.

During tragedy and suffering, people are brought together who may have never known one another before. Suffering has a way of leveling the ground before the Cross. Suffering doesn't discriminate. Every race and social economic status, every person will experience some type of suffering, some how, some way, some day. It is inevitable. it just looks different for each one of us. Jesus promises it in John 16:33 when He says, "In this world you WILL have trouble."

Since we know suffering will happen, what will we do when it does?

In Philippians 1:12-14, Paul wrote of his imprisonment, 'Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the world palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.'

Randy Alcorn writes in 'If God is Good,' Paul clearly saw God at work through his suffering. Just as boldness in imprisonment advances the gospel, so does boldness in disability, disease or disaster.

In our suffering, the door is opened for the gospel to be shared, when it may not have been otherwise.

In Galatians 4:13-14, Paul also wrote about his experience when he visited the Galatian churches, 'As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you. Even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel (messenger) of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself.'

Even while Paul was imprisoned and seriously ill, he shared the message of hope in Christ. Suffering changes and expands our sphere of influence for Christ. Whatever our trial or suffering may be, lets turn it into a testimony for His name sake, just like this faithful couple from Cedar Falls, Iowa has done in recent days.


Ephesians 6:19-20 - Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.