Suffering as a Christian

Wesley Chapel Podcast

The culture of church needs to be shaped by a desire for God. We must let God challenge our thoughts, and suffering is one way God does this. The purpose of our suffering is to force us to see our need for God. It may hurt and be hard, but God shows compassion on us, so we can have compassion on others too. Since Christ suffered, we have power to live the life He calls us to. Give up your personal comforts so that you may be a source of life to others. Suffering creates humility and breaks down our self-dependence so that we can engage with others’ suffering. Embrace what God is doing in you, and then turn to others around you. Be diligent and pray for this because God knows it will be hard. We need to make room for God to work in others’ lives without rushing to conclusions. We can do this by having fervent love for one another. We have hope for what God can do in their lives. God forgave and forgot your sins, so you can be encouraged to do the same for others. Encourage what God is doing in another’s life. Make room in your life to make time for others. Minister to others with the gifts God has supplied you with. Offer who you are, unafraid of feeling like you don’t have enough to give. Your role in the church has purpose and value. Work to create every person in your life perfect in Christ. Do not think it strange when you face trials. Remember to patiently endure. Jesus went before us and endured suffering knowing His purpose and the joy before Him. See what God can do in your situations and in the trials of those around you. God is not done in you or others. Lift up your heart in expectation of what God can do. Hope in the promises of God!