Suffering Like Jesus

“I am thankful to Jesus I suffered as a child,” the woman said. “If I hadn’t suffered, I wouldn’t know Jesus as well as I do.”

I knew this beautiful woman’s story. Growing up, she was repeatedly sexually molested by a family member, so for her to be thankful for her childhood pain was remarkable.

I thought about my pain, now and then.

Growing up fatherless.

Having a mentally unstable mother.

Heartbreak.

Illness.

Rejection.

Financial loss.

The list goes on, but you understand, because you, too, have suffered.

As you scan your own list in your mind, are you able to say “thank you?” “Thank you, Jesus, for the privilege of suffering like you?”

Today as I look back, I am saying “thank you.” Thank you, Lord, for allowing me to go through a fraction of what you endured for me. Without it, I would have no story to share, so I might draw others to you. If I had not had emotional and physical pain, there would be no victory, no empathy, and no need to draw near to God for sustenance.

The apostle Paul explains why we as God’s children, suffer at times. “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” (Romans 8:17-18).

Paul rejoiced in his suffering (Colossians 1:24). Peter said if we suffer as a Christian, to not be ashamed, but to praise God (1 Peter 4:16).

When we suffer, we suffer like Jesus.

What a privilege!

We have to remember that our suffering, as difficult as it is, is temporary. This life is fleeting. Suffering  works as sandpaper on our rough edges, and transforms us into a more humble, beautiful person, ready to step from this imperfect world into a perfect eternity.

Can you view your trials through a different window today? Can you be thankful? Will you use your suffering to encourage others who are going through the same difficulty or pain?

Thank you Jesus for my past suffering. Thank you for how I will suffer in the future. I pray you use it for your glory.