The Case for Joy in Suffering
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known,
Colossians 1:24–25 ESV Read More
Suffering is not really popular. If someone likes suffering, we get them help as fast as we can (and rightly we should!) so what’s up with Paul saying “Now I rejoice in my sufferings” and where does that fit into our daily life?
God’s Will or Our Comfort
For one thing, the whole world is constantly pulling at us to love pleasure, security, and happiness. Those are all fine, but when the world’s pleasure machine is shouting too loud, it’s hard to hear the voice of the Lord who guides us with a gentle whisper. Ask anyone that has gone on an international mission trip and they’ve probably had that conversation with somebody trying to talk them out of it because of danger, discomfort, illness, hard work, etc. If you know from the start that you want to live for God and not yourself, which may involve some suffering, you are already closer to obeying His call. The discomfort of talking to strangers, visiting strange places, or discussing deep topics with your friends fades away as you embrace the possibility of suffering to follow the Lord.
Rejoicing in Suffering Gives Things Proper Perspective
If I don’t want to be around somebody because they smell bad or they are annoying to me, a relationship that God has given to me becomes hindered. Maybe that person that constantly interrupts needs your friendship, or that guy at the office that overflows with cuss words needs to see your example as a dad. Knowing that those people’s relationship with you and with the Lord in you is more important than your comfort helps you see what is important to God. Rejoicing in that suffering comes in the unexpected breakthrough when they ask you for advice or open up and ask for you to pray for something in their life. It happens. God is busy.
And What Is Lacking in Christ’s Afflictions?
John Piper has a good explanation of that part of this verse. It’s all about how God is showing Himself to the world. For all of the people that have lived beyond about 35 AD, we are the visible Christ for them to see.
What this means, I think, is that God intends for the afflictions of Christ to be presented to the world through the afflictions of his people. God really means for the body of Christ, the church, to experience some of the suffering he experienced so that when we offer the Christ of the cross to people, they see the Christ of the cross in us. We are to make the afflictions of Christ real for people by the afflictions we experience in offering him to them, and living the life of love he lived. —John Piper
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