The Gift of Suffering

We are getting close to the gift giving season and at the end of the first chapter of Philippians the apostle Paul is writing about a gift; though not something we would normally consider a gift.  Here are verses 28-30:  “²⁸ and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. ²⁹ For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, ³⁰ having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me.”  The revelation of God is very clear that salvation is a gift.  Here Paul says that the ability to believe in Jesus has been “granted” to the Philippians. That’s pretty straightforward. Notice also what has been “granted”…the ability to suffer for Jesus’ sake.  Suffering is a gift that has been granted to you if you are a believer in Jesus. The initial reaction is “well, that’s a gift I’d like to return”.  And I get that.  That’s my initial reaction also.  But followers of Jesus sign up to be conformed to the image of Jesus and Jesus certainly suffered.  More on this in the coming days as we look at chapter 2 which opens with a discussion on the suffering of Jesus.  It’s not possible for us to “be like Jesus” without suffering.  My prayer is that you look on suffering as an opportunity to be made more like Jesus.  Note, I’m not talking about the suffering that we bring upon ourselves because of our own sin.  That’s not what Paul is talking about.  The suffering here is that which we feel as we serve Jesus; as Jesus suffered on the cross by fulfilling the will and purpose of the Father.  The suffering has been given to you.  Trust God to help you to see that and to endure it in a way that brings good to you and glory to Him.