Three Types of Suffering

Consider that it may be contrary to God’s will for us to pray difficulties away or think
God doesn’t care or is mad at us when our loved ones aren’t miraculously healed. We
are under grace today and not promised Israel’s (healing) blessings for faithfulness.
God’s will for the Body is to use sufferings to manifest His power and wisdom in our
inner man, magnifying His Word in our mortal bodies. We are to trust Him and the
doctrine within us to access His strength and wisdom to press forward: “And he said
unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.
Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may
rest upon me.” (II Cor. 12:9) Below are the three main sufferings experienced:

Sowing and reaping: This suffering is of our own doing. Making poor decisions can lead
to suffering as Romans 6:12 teaches: “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body,
that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.” And Galatians 6:8: “For he that soweth to
his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption…” Believers and unbelievers reap the
functional consequences of sin: if we drive 100 mph, we may get a ticket or be killed.

Sufferings with Christ: As saints walk in line with the doctrine they put aside the flesh
to live or hold forth the Truth, which brings many difficulties, even death: “…tribulation,
or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword.” (Rom. 8:35)
Examples: Helping others when it is not convenient or easy, making time to consistently
get up early to read the Word, though very busy and bone tired, or being persecuted,
jailed, or killed for standing for the Truth, holding forth the gospel, or living a godly life.
As we suffer, being here on God’s behalf, Christ suffers with us.

Sufferings of this present time: This type of tribulation is found in Romans 8:18: “For I
reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the
glory which shall be revealed in us.” Since the Fall in the Garden, every man experiences
this kind of suffering: i.e. mistakes, illness, calamity, frustrations, and natural disasters.

Reflect: What is your thinking about suffering and is it in line with what God teaches
the Body of Christ? We are to learn to “glory,” and “take pleasure in,” these
attacks/challenges knowing when we’re weak, we can rest in God to manifest glory.