The Biblical Way To Triumph Over Your Suffering

We all go through times of suffering in our lives. These times are caused by a wide range of sources: different people, events, jobs, and countless other problems that can arise in this life…

Most of us have probably walked through a season of suffering so difficult and exhausting that we were tempted to believe that things would never get better. When we’re facing pain, it can seem like that light at the end of the tunnel just keeps getting dimmer and further away. However, 1 Peter 5:10 proves that this way of thinking could not be further from the truth.

“In His kindness God called you to share in His eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, He will restore, support, and strengthen you, and He will place you on a firm foundation.”

These words that Peter delivered to faithful followers of Christ gave them a broader, more eternal perspective by reminding them that their suffering was only going to last “a little while.” Now, there were some of Peter’s readers who would be strengthened and delivered in their own lifetimes, and others who would be released from their suffering and pain through death.

The bottom line is this…ALL of God’s faithful followers are guaranteed eternal life, amen? That eternal life with Christ was promised to us when we surrendered our lives to Him, giving Him complete control and picking up our crosses to follow Jesus. Eternal life in Christ is the only time when we will be totally free from suffering.

So what does this mean for us now? As we each walk through life, day by day, we need to learn to suffer well. This means:

• Remembering that our suffering does not go unnoticed

• Looking ahead expectantly to what God has for us

• Praying for divine endurance, strength, and peace that only Christ can provide to help us walk through times of hardship

Intentionally doing these steps each day is crucial because keeping our eyes on the Father while suffering will allow us to see what He is teaching us, how He is using it for our good, and what He has in store for us next.

I pray we all learn to suffer well as a body of believers and support one another. The time of suffering is well worth it because He is there with us through it all.