All humanity suffers due to sin.  Whether you are a Christian or not, we are all subject to the fallen nature of humanity.  The Bible talks about suffering very clearly, however, it talks of a different kind of suffering.

Persecution is suffering due to our relationship with Christ, and it is promised that we will suffer for our faith according to 2 Timothy 3:12.  In fact, we are called to take up our cross, a symbol of subjecting ourselves to similar mistreatment that Jesus endured.  We endure this because we know that a glorious inheritance awaits us in heaven.

What about trials that don’t seem to be directly tied to our faith?  Whether it be an illness, a job loss, or mistreatment from others, a lot of suffering may not be persecution, but just a symptom of the fall.  The question becomes what is the purpose in this kind of pain?

1 Peter 1:6-7 states “You may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith, may result in praise.”

The source of suffering isn’t as important as the fruit of it.  To be able to see the fruit of suffering, we must endure, and we are able to endure because we can set our minds on promises that guarantee our fruit if we persevere.  James 1 tells us to consider it all joy when we face trials because the end result of our suffering is a mature and complete faith. 

Therefore, I believe that all suffering believers endure, regardless of the source, has meaning and purpose.  For it to be redemptive, we must approach our suffering with purpose.  And while some of that suffering comes directly from persecution, much of it comes from being shaped by the fire of life itself—and the Lord uses all of it to conform us to the image of Christ.

-Phil