The Ministry of Suffering: 3 Things to Remember When You Experience Hardship

A few months ago, I was really struggling. I just couldn’t seem to get it together. I began second-guessing myself and doubting that God was even with me at all. So, I made an appointment to see a Christian counselor.

On the day of my appointment and once I was settled in his office, I sat down and began to verbally unleash all that I had been experiencing over the last ten years. (Shockingly enough, I never made time to sit down and process my hardships because life just happens.) When I said all I could say, my counselor looked at me and said, “Trina, you don’t have a mental health problem; you have lost your confidence in God.”

Talk about a big pill to swallow! I had just endured a long season of suffering, and I didn’t realize until then that while trying to say and do the right thing, I neglected to care for my soul.

I wonder if you know what that feels like, too. 

And how do we, as Christian women, learn to stand firm while truly grasping how God defines suffering so that we don’t lose confidence in Him? Let’s first take a look at what suffering is.

What is Suffering?

Suffering can be defined as when one is in a state of pain or loss. It usually comes in the form of emotional misery, spiritual hardship, or physical discomfort. Suffering is most common in two scenarios; it can come as a natural consequence of our sinful hearts or reveal itself for no reason at all!

The truth is that when we make blatantly wrong choices and choose to go our own way, we will experience suffering for no other reason than choosing a path that God has not willed for us. But that isn’t the end of the story! We serve a God of second chances; if you made a mistake, seek his forgiveness and repent! He loves you and will always welcome you with open arms.

But suffering also comes even when one is in God’s word, consistently praying and seeking Him in every circumstance. Shockingly enough, this is also God’s will for you.

So, together, let’s explore what God says about suffering and how we can remain in Him when the hard times come.

3 Things to Remember When You Experience Suffering

Trials are an important part of our Christian journey. However, God never leaves us to manage on our own; He has left us His truth and comfort through His word. 

Every Believer is Called to Suffer

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

- John 16:33, NKJV

The most important thing we can remember when we are troubled is that Jesus came to earth as our great overcomer, and He gives us peace. When we try to navigate things on our own, we can quickly become discouraged and burnt out, but when we invite Jesus into our guaranteed struggle, He will bring the shalom of heaven with Him.

In Our Struggle, We Are Not Crushed

2 Corinthians 4:8-9, NKJV says, “We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.”

Paul, a man not a stranger to hardship, beautifully balances our pain with the promise.

We are hard-pressed but not crushed.

We are confused but not in despair.

We are ridiculed but not forgotten.

We are struck down but whole!

You see, we can endure every pain when we suffer because God is with us!

My friend Bunny Wilson is an incredible woman of God. She was an anointed speaker and mentor of mine. Well, Bunny came down with an unknown illness that caused her to have tremors so bad that it affected her speech and walking. Her life drastically slowed down, and a time came when she couldn’t teach anymore. When checking in with her, she would always respond the same way: “I am grateful.”

My heart couldn’t understand how she could have so much peace in the circumstances she was in. But she soon made me realize that even in her lack and limitedness, God is still faithful. Because she couldn’t talk much, she learned how to pray fervently, and even though she couldn’t stand for very long periods of time, she held a small Bible study for women in her assisted living community. She is the epitome of what it looks like to hold the good in the tension of struggle.

We Are Co-Heirs With Christ

“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs – heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.”

- Romans 8:16-17, NKJV

It is so interesting that we easily consider ourselves co-heirs with Christ yet are blindsided by struggle.

When the Holy Spirit led me to this passage, I was exhausted with grief. However, He showed me that it is an honor to suffer for Jesus, and one day, when I get to heaven, my Lord and Savior will say, “This is Trina. She suffered for ten years and kept the faith.”

What an honor! And you have that opportunity, too.

God Has a Purpose For the Suffering

God always has a purpose in our suffering.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

- 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, ESV

If you can't think of any other reason for your suffering, think of it this way: what you are going through is so that you can comfort someone else!

My son Joshua and his beautiful wife Dani have three lovely boys. One of my three grandsons, Jude, was diagnosed with sickle cell anemia. Sometimes, it gets very frustrating for him because he is two, and also for his parents, who are in so much pain. Even though we have prayed over him and have tried to encourage my son and daughter-in-law, nothing seemed to help. One Sunday, after church, a couple approached them, pulled them aside, and said, “Dani and Josh, you see our twin boys? They were born with sickle cell anemia. As they grew older, their crisis got less and less. They are now sixteen years old and have not had an episode in ten years. If God did it for us, He will do it for you.”

My holy oil from Israel didn’t do a thing for Joshua and Dani, but you better believe the couple who endured a similar trial did! You may be suffering, but wait and see how God will use you to comfort someone else. Won’t He do it?

Suffering Always Has an End Point

Just as suffering has a starting point, it also has an ending point. And God will always deliver you.

“But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconuim, at Lystra – what persecutions I have endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me.”

- 2 Timothy 3:11, NKJV

Psalms 34:19, NKJV also says, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.”

God doesn’t just deliver you of one, two, or three afflictions; He delivers you of all of them!

Be An Imitator

One simple thing I have learned in my suffering is to be an imitator. Now, I am not talking about those in the world but those who are strong in their faith.

“And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”

- Hebrews 6:11-12, ESV

When you find yourself in a season of suffering, be an imitator. Look to Jesus and the sisters in your life who are steadfast in endurance and patience. Invite women into your struggle and allow them to hold your arms up when you can’t and then return the favor when they are in the darkest days of the soul.

God brings people into our lives according to His perfect plan. Through the ministry of suffering, He guides us to healing and glory because all things work together for good to those who love God. 

For more on enduring suffering, check out First Lady Trina’s message, Suffering.