Why Suffering for Christ Is More Than Just a “Necessary Evil”

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but snot forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our bodies. 2 Corinthians 4:8–10

CrossWay has served up a "2-fer" special, each dealing with the topic of suffering!

First, there is the article by Matt Rhodes, a missionary in the Northern portion of Africa. He writes about the positive aspect of suffering - not that it has character-refining as its primary object (although that is a part of it) - but that it gives us a living testimony to those around us. Think about it, as we go through trials in this life, the world is watching - do we glorify God in the midst of it?  You can access his article by clicking --> here <--

Today, when Christians speak of how God brings good out of suffering, we tend to focus on the ways he uses it to refine our character. God certainly uses suffering to this end, but the New Testament describes our sufferings far more often as a sacrifice than it does as an exercise in character growth (see, e.g., Phil. 2:17; Col. 1:24; 1 Tim. 4:6). It often paints our sufferings as being offered to God for the sake of others (see, e.g., John 12:24, 15:13, Col. 1:24).

In the short (under 3 minutes) video below, Winfree Brisby teaches us about what Psalm 90 says about suffering. It is an invitation to see suffering for what it is: temporary in comparison to the eternality of God. And that gives the believer the mindset to persevere in faithfulness and profess a living testimony to the world.

12 So teach us to number our days
    that we may get a heart of wisdom.