Suffering

Sharing in Christ’s sufferings, strengthened by His hope.

First Mention in Scripture

Original Word: עָנָה (anah)

Reference: Genesis 16:11

Meaning: To be afflicted, humbled, or oppressed.

Used when the angel of the Lord tells Hagar that the Lord has heard of her misery — showing God’s attention to the suffering.

Suffering is a reality in a broken world — a result of the fall (Genesis 3). Yet in God’s hands, it is never meaningless.

Scripture shows that God uses trials to refine faith, deepen trust, and shape Christlike character.

Jesus Himself entered into our suffering — not only to redeem us from sin, but to walk with us in our pain.

In Christ, suffering becomes not the end of the story, but part of the journey toward resurrection and eternal glory.

Suffering in a Fallen World

From the moment sin entered the world, pain and hardship followed (Genesis 3:16–19). The Bible does not hide the reality of suffering — Job’s story, the Psalms of lament, and Israel’s exiles all testify to life’s brokenness.

Yet God is never absent. “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted” (Psalm 34:18).

Jesus, the Suffering Servant

Isaiah prophesied of the Messiah who would be “a man of suffering, familiar with pain” (Isaiah 53:3). Jesus fulfilled this, bearing our sins and sorrows on the cross (1 Peter 2:24).

He not only suffered for us but with us, entering fully into human pain so He could be our merciful High Priest (Hebrews 4:15).

Suffering as Refining

Trials are not wasted — they test and strengthen faith. “The testing of your faith produces perseverance” (James 1:3).

Peter compares this to gold refined by fire, resulting in “praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed” (1 Peter 1:6–7).

Sharing in Christ’s Sufferings

Paul saw suffering for Christ as a privilege — a way to know Him more deeply (Philippians 3:10).

We share in His sufferings now, but we will also share in His glory (Romans 8:17–18).

Hope Beyond Suffering

Our pain has an expiration date. “He will wipe every tear from their eyes” (Revelation 21:4).

Paul calls our present troubles “light and momentary” compared to the “eternal glory” they are producing (2 Corinthians 4:17–18).

Scripture References

Suffering is part of life in a fallen world, but in Christ it is never wasted. God uses it to draw us closer, shape us into His likeness, and point us toward our eternal hope. We follow a Savior who suffered for us and with us — and who will one day remove suffering forever.

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