God is the great Giver.
He loved us enough to give us his Son, so that through faith in Jesus we receive the gift of eternal life instead of the fair punishment of eternity in hell, per John 3:16.
And, paradoxically, every day he gives us things that we’d rather not have, yet he provides them anyway because he knows what is best for our holiness and his glory.
Things like suffering.
Our suffering is a gift? From God? Yes, that is the teaching of Scripture.
Paul wrote about the gift of suffering:
“For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake.” (Philippians 1:29)
Note the word “granted,” which means to give graciously, generously, and freely; to bestow.
According to this verse, God has freely given two things to his people: belief in Christ and suffering for the sake of Christ.
Do you have saving faith in Jesus? If so, it’s because God gave you that belief.
And do you ever suffer? That, too, is a gift from the generous hand of God. “Believers’ suffering is a gift of grace which brings power and eternal reward” (John MacArthur).
As I reflect on this, I know it seems counterintuitive. And I realize that it is easy, in a sense, to read Philippians 1:29 and learn the definition of “grant” from a Greek dictionary and write these words so matter of factly.
While it may be easy to explain this truth, it is hard to accept and believe and embrace with the joy of James 1:2. If you have a serious illness or know someone who does, to say that this is a gift from God may be the last thing you want to hear.
I cannot say all that needs to be said about this topic in a few hundred words.
If you’ve not looked at suffering from this perspective before, I urge you to at least give it your prayerful consideration. Much has been written about suffering as the work of God in a Christian’s life, for “we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God” (Romans 8:28).
Philip Yancey, author of the book Where Is God When It Hurts?, was recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Please take time to read his article, just released last week, entitled Parkinson’s—The Gift I Didn’t Want. He begins with this: “I’ve spent years writing about pain and suffering. Now I’ll spend years learning how to live with physical disability.”
https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2023/february-web-only/philip-yancey-ct-parkinsons-diagnosis-gift-i-didnt-want.html
Other books I’ve read on the purposes of suffering from a Biblical perspective include:
A Place of Healing: Wrestling with the Mysteries of Suffering, Pain, and God’s Sovereignty, by Joni Eareckson Tada
https://www.amazon.com/Place-Healing-Wrestling-Mysteries-Sovereignty-ebook/dp/B005MT8U3S/
God’s Grace in Your Suffering, by David Powlinson
https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Grace-Suffering-David-Powlison-ebook/dp/B075JKSYCF/
The Power of Suffering: Strengthening Your Faith in the Refiner’s Fire,
by John MacArthur
https://www.amazon.com/Power-Suffering-Strengthening-Faith-Refiners-ebook/dp/B005SZEBVQ
I trust you’ll find these resources helpful when dealing with the inevitable pain and suffering of life. If so, let me know by leaving a comment below.
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