My dear readers,

The blessing of suffering in a believer’s life
(Dr SH Tow, Reformation Banner March-April 1979)

JOB? A name for my son? No sir! Thank you very much. No one in his right mind would call his son by a name which is synonymous with extreme suffering and misfortune. For, in life, no man willingly chooses misery and affliction in preference to happiness and prosperity. Hence we witness the profusion of good wishes exchanged at festive seasons of New Year, Christmas, birthdays and wedding anniversaries.

However, no amount of well-wishing can wish away the everyday experiences of sadness, setbacks and misfortune — happenings common to all men. Some Christians, especially those recently converted, seem to think that, having accepted the Saviour, life should henceforth be smooth sailing. Sooner or later, trials come their way, and they become discouraged and depressed. This is something the believer must guard against and the only way to do this is to be firmly grounded in God’s Word. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" (2 Tim 3:16) Only God’s Word can instruct us in the true meaning of life with its ups and downs, its joys and sorrows, and most important of all — how we ought to live.

God’s Word is clear and emphatic: the Christian’s life is not a bed of roses, but after salvation there must be suffering before the final glory. "These things I have spoken unto you," said our Lord, "that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (Jn 16:33)

Paul, of all the Apostles, underwent the greatest amount of hardship in his Christian life. His recital of sufferings in 2 Corinthians chapter 11 bears thoughtful reading by any Christian who thinks his burden of affliction unbearable. Go with him through the depths of sorrows in labours, stripes, imprisonments, beatings, stonings, shipwrecks, perils from every quarter, weariness, painfulness, watchings, hunger, thirst, fastings, cold, nakedness. Then soar with him to heavenly heights with his assurance of immortal glory through suffering:

"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh … For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." (2 Cor 4:7-11, 16-18)

This earthly scene is dominated by the "prince of this world," the devil, and while we are within his sphere of influence, we cannot altogether escape his evil designs. Nevertheless, our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ is supreme, and He assures us, "I have overcome the world." He has won the victory at Calvary over the devil, and all his wiles. Therefore, in Him we can have peace; through Him we have the victory, even though now we may go through light afflictions "which is but for a moment." (2 Cor 4:17)

How, then, should we respond to suffering? As believers, let us not blame our "fate" or "bad luck" as we do those without understanding. If you are a child of God, know of a certainty that nothing happens to you without our Heavenly Father’s knowledge and consent. God has a personal interest in the believer’s life, to see that each child grows spiritually and is equipped for future service. Suffering is part of God’s discipline for us. Nothing happens by coincidence, accident or chance, but behind every event, in our lives, it is the unseen hand of God directing, ordering and guiding.

Every child of God needs to go through the school of suffering. Paul wrote to the Christians in the church at Philippi while he was in prison "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me." (Philippians 1:29-30) Paul also says, "… we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope:" (Rom 5:3-4) Tribulation deepens our faith and increases our love for the Saviour.

Our Lord has set us the example which we must follow. He took upon Himself the supreme sacrifice. "Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities …" (Isa 53:4-5).

But, "if we suffer, we shall also reign with Him." (2 Tim 2:12a) This is the glorious promise. Let us, then, not regard suffering as something to be avoided at all costs, or something to be frowned upon. Remember, our Heavenly Father has a purpose and a plan for each one of us. When sufferings come ourway, let us be in much prayer and soul searching, for every suffering is sent to try us, to refine and purify us, and to fit us for higher service.

Finally, let us recall the words of the Apostle, "My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth .... Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." (Heb 12:5b-6, 11)
There is great blessing in suffering.

Yours faithfully in the Saviour’s Service,
Dr SH Tow, Sr Pastor