A Spiritual Challenge

I would like to present just one more article from my newsletter.

Is suffering important, maybe even essential, in the life of a Christian and if so what is its purpose? I would like for us to consider this question as a spiritual challenge.

“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” (1 Peter 4:12, ESV). Thus, for Christians, suffering is the norm not a surprising exception.

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4, ESV). A purpose of trials is to produce spiritual maturity. During the trial we are to experience joy, not necessarily happiness. The testing of our faith by these trials is to result in steadfastness, which is a life of faithful endurance and patience in the presence of troubles and afflictions of various kinds. This steadfastness leads us to that which is perfect and complete and is a desirable goal to achieve.

“More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Rom. 5:3-5, ESV). We don’t rejoice in our suffering because they are pleasant, but because they develop a Christ-like character within us. I am not saying that the development of Christ-like character or spiritual growth cannot happen apart from suffering. I do know from personal experience that my greatest growth has come during times of suffering and this seems to be what I see in Biblical examples.

If suffering is so important for spiritual growth, maybe we should be careful when making prayer request or praying for people going through a trial. Maybe we put more emphasis on the growth aspect of the trial and not the removal of the trial. If the choice is freedom from the trial or spiritual growth, which would you choose and why?