Suffering for Jesus Is a Necessary Part of Following Him

Summary

Following Jesus includes suffering, which tests what we truly value. Pain challenges our desire for comfort, but God uses trials to stretch our faith, break self-reliance, and make us more like Christ. Scripture shows Jesus suffered and learned obedience, so we shouldn’t be surprised when hardships come. We can rejoice because suffering for Christ leads to eternal glory. By fixing our eyes on Jesus and trusting our faithful Creator, we grow, or we see Him face-to-face, victory either way.

Suffering for Jesus

I treat suffering like a poisonous snake. I would guess you do too. But following Jesus inevitably brings suffering. That brings repeated faith crises to us who avoid discomfort. Our commitment to God’s will and ways arm wrestles with our desire to flee from pain. Which will prevail? Willingly enduring suffering demonstrates what we value. Do we love our family enough to suffer for their sake? Do we love our Lord enough to suffer for His?

The Christian Path: Hard but Safe

The Christian life includes both suffering and glory. Our road is straight and narrow, but eventful. God does not promise a smooth ride—just a safe arrival.

Jesus Our Example in Suffering

When we follow in Jesus’ steps, life will not be easier than it was for Him. He was “despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain” (Isaiah 53:3 NIV). “He learned obedience from what He suffered” (Hebrews 5:8 NIV).

Trials Strengthen Faith

God allows fiery trials to test and build our faith. They wring independence from us like water from a washcloth. They reveal how foolish we are when we play God.

Expect Trials—and Rejoice

We rarely change to become more like Jesus until we reach a certain level of pain. God knows that. So, faith-stretching trials are coming. We should not be surprised when they arrive. How should we respond?

Keep on rejoicing during trials. If God deposited one hundred million dollars in our bank accounts every time we suffered for Him, we would rejoice with every nasty letter, threatening phone call, or destructive criticism!

Suffering Precedes Eternal Glory

Suffering for Christ now assures participation in His glory. Five seconds of that glory is worth more than all the world’s wealth. That glory will be our eternal inheritance! We experience a down payment of it when we are persecuted for Christ’s sake. Stephen did when he suffered for Christ (Acts 6:15). Suffering and self-denial precede glory.

Not All Suffering Is Noble

We deserve some of the suffering life dishes out. Our unwise choices contribute significantly to it. We ran a red light. Bad things happened. For God to bless us, our suffering must be because we are Christians, and not because of our wickedness.

Focus on the Joy Ahead

Jesus teaches us how to handle suffering: “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2 NIV). He focused on the joy ahead. We must, too.

A Privilege to Suffer for Christ

When Jewish religious leaders whipped the apostles for teaching in Jesus’ name, they rejoiced because God deemed them worthy to suffer shame for His name (Acts 5:41). God has ordained that we follow in the steps of the One who suffered for us.

Victory Through Trusting God

When the bullets of trials zing around us, we must entrust ourselves to our faithful Creator. Whether God delivers us safely through the trials or not, there is victory either way. We either become more like Jesus or get to see Him face-to-face! What is your takeaway? See additional free spiritual growth resources for Christians.   #freediscipleshipresources #freeevangelismresources #freechristianleadershipresources 

God has empowered me to write His Power for Your Weakness—260 Steps Toward Spiritual Strength. It’s a free, evangelistic, devotional, and discipleship e-book. Pastors have used it in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia to lead 7,541 people to Christ and teach the basics of Christianity to 17,361 people. I invite you to explore and use it in your setting.

Photo: Image Creator (microsoft.com)