By Donald T. Williams
We want to say that a God of love would not will any such thing. But he did: think of Joseph, Moses, Jeremiah, John the Baptist, Stephen, Peter, and Paul, all of whom suffered as part of God's plan for them, not in spite of it. And we might as well add Jesus himself, delivered up by the predetermined plan and counsel of God for our redemption (Acts 2:23). Does God love us differently than he loved them?
All these saints suffered for a higher purpose; not all of them knew what it was. So this raises the question of why God allows suffering as part of his plan for his people. And that leads us to the next element.
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II. THE PURPOSE OF SUFFERING IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
Suffering in God's plan is always for a purpose. But while the particular purpose is often not revealed for individuals, a number of general principles are revealed, purposes which suffering can always be made to serve whatever its ultimate rationale. It is, first, an opportunity for growth in spiritual strength and maturity. 1 Pet. 4:12 speaks of it as a test. One sign of a good teacher is that his tests will be, not just ways of measuring and evaluating students, but a learning experience in themselves. No one likes to be put under the pressure of studying for exams, but we know that a good bit of that studying would never take place unless they were going to happen. Then, the exam itself can be set up to crystallize in the student's understanding the lessons being learned. God sometimes uses suffering in precisely the same way.
Second, suffering is an opportunity to draw closer to Christ by identifying with Him in His suffering (1 Pet. 4:13-14). Peter says that when we suffer, we "share" the very sufferings of Christ. Once when some trusted friends had betrayed me much like Judas did our Lord, I looked at Him with new understanding: "You went through that for me? Now I understand." I don't think I could have gotten that appreciation for the Savior in any other way. The scars from those knife-wounds in my back were thus transformed into a great blessing — but it was not a blessing that could have come cheaply.
Third, it can be an opportunity to please God (1 Pet. 2:19). Peter says it finds favor with Him if we do it for the sake of conscience. Fourth, all this means that suffering can be an opportunity to glorify God. And finally, in 2 Tim. Paul gives a purpose which is an effect of the first four: it can lead to the salvation of God's people (2 Tim. 2:9-10). Paul endures suffering "for the sake of those who are chosen, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus." This leads to the third element: