May 02 2026

Saturday May 02

The Gift of Suffering

Philippians 1:29

Welcome to Pastor’s Chat. Today we are continuing to look at Philippians 1, and we are going on to verse 29, where we come to a very challenging truth. It says this: “For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.” Today we are going to be talking about the gift of suffering.

Now Paul says two things are granted by grace. Number one, faith to believe in Him. And how we all love and appreciate for that. We know Ephesians 2:8–9: “For by grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.” Thank God for the gift of grace—the gift to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, to have our sins forgiven, and to know we are on our way to heaven.

But Paul goes on to say, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake. Remember back in verse 28, Paul said “we should not be in any way terrified by our adversaries”. We should not be terrified by those who will cause persecution and suffering and inflict pain upon us. Why? Because God has granted us this gift of suffering.

We love the gift of grace, but we might have a hard time understanding the gift of suffering, and it is even harder to accept. But what we need to understand is that suffering connects us to Jesus Christ. Remember Philippians 3:10 where Paul wrote later in this epistle: “That I might know Him and the fellowship of His sufferings.” In Romans 8:17 he wrote: “If indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together with Him”. And then verse 18, Paul goes on to say: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

In 1 Peter 4:13, Peter said, “Rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings.” Remember Jesus Himself said in Matthew 5:10–12, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake… Rejoice and be exceedingly glad,” that you have the privilege of suffering and being persecuted for Christ’s sake. We must know that suffering is not meaningless. It deepens our faith, strengthens our character, and prepares us for glory.

The church in China, which has suffered so deeply under great persecution over the years because of their faith, would tell us, “Don’t pray that we are not persecuted and that we do not suffer. Pray that we remain faithful.” When I visited the unground church there years ago the church leaders told us, “Persecution purifies the church”. As a matter of fact, we have heard that some churches in China made it a requirement to have served time in labor camp prisons suffering for their faith to prove that they were truly a Christian before they could become part of their fellowship of believers.

My friend, that is not what we have faced so far in America, but it might not be far off! In James 1:2–3, it reminds us “to count it all joy when you fall into various trials and tribulations”. In 1 Peter 1:6–9 we read: “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith--the salvation of your souls.”

Now let’s be honest—we do not naturally see suffering as a gift. But from God’s perspective: It is shaping us. It is refining us. It is drawing us closer to Christ. So today: Do not waste your trials. See them through God’s eyes. Trust Him in the process.

In closing this chat, I want you to read 1 Peter 5:6-11 that reminds us to humble ourselves as we face the attacks of the devil, “resisting him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

Also a good book to read that would bless and give you a better understanding of God’s purposes of suffering in our lives is: “The Insanity of God” by Nik Ripken.

God bless and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day!