Is Suffering Necessary?

Verse of the day: II Corinthians 11:30 If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity.

Is suffering really necessary? Most of us would prefer to answer, "No." The truth of the matter is that, in Christianity, it is necessary. The Apostle Paul, here, for a moment, is forced to boast, in this chapter, to make a point. However, he chooses to boast in respect to all that he has suffered in his service to our Lord. He could have bragged about his credentials as an apostle. His background as a pharisee, and being of the Tribe of Benjamin gave him some bragging rights among the Jews. Instead, he chose to talk about his trials, and sufferings, as a slave of Jesus Christ. Why? Well, I have to say that the strongest servants of Christ that I have ever met are ones whom God has allowed to suffer much. The Apostle was not a great speaker (by his own admission). He was not pleasant to look upon, as he had an ailment that affected his eyes, and appearance. He was not of great stature. Yet, in all his weakness, and suffering, God used him to accomplish great things for the cause of Christ, for the spreading of the Gospel. It put him in a position where he could not boast or take credit for his accomplishments, but rather placed him where he had no alternative but to give God all the glory. In his weaknesses, God showed His strength. It is no different today. See a person who has never really suffered, and often you will see someone who is spoiled, and unsympathetic to the needs, and hurts, of others. They cannot relate to the suffering of others. When we suffer pain, trials, tribulation, and difficulties, it teaches us how to endure. It teaches us how to trust God more and more. It teaches us compassion, and helps us relate to those that are hurting around us, and drives us to share with them our Comfort, our Peace, Jesus Christ. Even our Savior was tempted as we are, in all points (and never sinned), and suffered as we do (loss of family, betrayal, physical pain, mental anguish, etc.), and is our Greatest Advocate. He set the example of how to endure, and respond to suffering. Ultimately, it teaches us how to be thankful, and how to praise God for being God (at all times), and not reserve thanksgiving and praise for times when circumstances are favorable, and going our way. Suffering is necessary to enrich our faith. It will help us point the glory of accomplishments where it belongs...on God, and Him alone. We must endure whatever the Lord allows, as soldiers in God's army. In the end our badges of honor will not be how many degrees we hold, how many titles we have or what our status is in society or among other Christians. Our badges will be the scars we have gained. The people we have suffered for, cried with, cried for, and sacrificed for, even to the danger of losing our own lives; all done for God's glory, in His service, and for the sake of the Gospel. So, I ask again, "Is suffering necessary for us, as God's children?" Yes. Yes, it most certainly is. All for the glory of the One who suffered, bled, and died for us.