Dear E-Flash Friends;
Somebody asked me recently if the Bible indicates that Christians should desire suffering. The person asking me the question referenced Philippians chapter 3, vs. 10 where the Apostle Paul writes about wanting to “suffer” with Christ “sharing in his death”.
The questioner said, “I love Jesus and I want to know Him and love Him more—I really do—but I don’t know if I could ever get to the point that I could honestly say that I desire suffering.”
I understand that feeling. The thing about suffering is that it’s no fun.
[ …By the way, I’m known, worldwide, as the master of understatement.]
Seriously, though, I don’t think the point that Paul was making is that we should actually desire suffering. What Paul was ultimately interested in was: “knowing” Christ in a very intimate and genuine way. And Paul understood that to really know Christ, suffering would inevitably be involved because Jesus, Himself, suffered and all those who walk closely with Him will experience some degree of suffering. He said so. (For example, check out John 16:33.)
So, I would not explain the attitude that Paul is describing as a desire for suffering—I’m not so sure that would be a healthy attitude. However, I would describe his attitude with the word “willing”. Paul was willing to suffer. But it’s important to keep in mind that the willingness to suffer is not for suffering’s sake. Paul was willing to suffer because he understood that it was a necessary part of helping him know Christ better.
I hope you are experiencing the ups and downs of life in a way that is drawing you closer to Him!
Love and blessings,
Dan
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