“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when
it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to
you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s suffering, that you may also
rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.” I Peter 4:12—13
I’ll never forget the
first time our pastor visited me in the hospital. I was feeling very peaceful
and even hopeful, despite the grim prognosis and the fact that I couldn’t get
out of bed. He proceeded to give me Holy Communion, but when he began the
liturgy and referenced the sufferings of Christ, tears began streaming down my
cheeks. A sudden realization came upon me that my suffering did not come close
to the pain and alienation that Jesus experienced. I realized that in fact, compared with what Jesus endured, my unfortunate circumstance could hardly be counted as
“suffering” at all. I was cherished, loved and cared for by family, friends and
a compassionate medical team: not betrayed, cast away, and abhorred by man. I
was in a comfortable room with pain medication regularly delivered: not
struggling in agony for every breath while nailed to a cross. Compared with Christ, I will never experience true suffering. Thanks to Christ, I can instead rejoice in my suffering.
In his message “Why We Can Rejoice in Suffering”, John
Piper explains that we as Christians can rejoice because we
know God is sovereign over our trials; we know He is faithful to be with us in the midst of our
pain; and we know and trust that He is in control of our circumstances. All suffering is purposeful in that “it
proves and strengthens real faith.” Our pain may be great, but God can use it for our good. What is another reason Christians can
rejoice? Because we know that “….in the hour of greatest trial there
is a great consolation. In great suffering on earth there is great support from
heaven. You may think now that you will not be able to bear it….[but] the
Spirit of glory and of God [will rest on you] in suffering.….The Spirit will
reveal enough of glory and enough of God to satisfy your soul, and carry you
through.” Piper exhorts and encourages his listeners to “seek to be holy; seek
to bring truth; seek to bear witness; and do not turn aside from risk. And
sooner or later you will experience the Spirit of glory and of God resting upon
you in suffering.”
