By: Grace Metzger
I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.
Philippians 1:12 ESV
I was reading through Philippians and stumbled upon this verse. This really impacted me as I couldn’t imagine going through what Paul was going through and still trying to encourage other believers. Paul was in prison, writing about how his suffering wasn’t in vain and that it was being used to advance the gospel. If that was me in that situation, I think I would be too busy whining and complaining to even think about how God could be using this for His glory.
Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God.
2 Timothy 1:8 ESV
There are so many stories in the Bible of people who suffered and God used that suffering for good. I think of Joseph, who was sold to slavery, falsely accused, and imprisoned. If that’s not suffering, I don’t know what is! But God used all of that to help Egypt through the famine, reconnect Joseph to his family, and made Joseph a powerful man in Egypt. All these amazing things happened but he had to suffer beforehand.
Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance.
Romans 5:3
The Bible never promised us that we will be without suffering. What it did promise us is that God is good and He’s going to use every situation to help us grow strong in Him, we just have to allow God to do His work in us. I know that for many people reading that you might have to suffer in life is a bit depressing for them, trust me I understand! I struggled with this part too, but as I started reading more of the Bible and finding more stories of believers who suffered but were rewarded, I get a more hopeful view. Throughout each story there was a sense of joy and happiness no matter what was happening. Stories like Paul in prison, he wasn’t mad but he was joyful that God was using his story to help spread God’s word.
I want God to use my suffering for good, I want to be used to help spread His word. But that can’t happen until I let go of my anger about my suffering and allow God to use my situation to work through me.
Discussion Question!
What helps you stay hopeful during tough situations?
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