A Theology of Suffering - December 22

Read 1 Thessalonians 3:4-5 

For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass and just as you know. For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain. 

Reflect 

How has suffering impacted your faith? Has it made your faith stronger or shakier? 

Many people in the United States have been sold a lie about Christianity. One of those lies is the “prosperity gospel” or the “health and wealth gospel.” Basically, peddlers of this false teaching use Scripture out of context to promise their listeners that if they just give enough money or have enough faith, God will bless them and they’ll be healed and rich. 

It isn’t always packaged with a big-name preacher, a highly influential platform, and outrageous claims though. It isn’t always that obvious. Sometimes, the lie is more subtle. Something like a thought that pops into your head…God must not love me and that’s why I’m suffering with this. At the heart of all of this false teaching is the lie that if we are truly believers, God will never allow us to suffer. 

But this is simply not a biblical teaching. Right here, in today’s verses, Paul reminded the Thessalonians what he had taught them about suffering when he was still with them—that they were going to suffer. Not just troubles in general, but they were going to suffer for their faith. And lo and behold, it had come to pass. Yesterday, we read in verse 3 that Paul told them they were “destined” for affliction. It’s not if suffering occurs but when. 

When Paul sent Timothy to check on the believers in Thessalonica, he was worried that they were going to succumb to pressures and temptations and walk away from the faith. After all, he knew they were new believers and their faith wasn’t deeply rooted yet. He was worried that his time and effort in Thessalonica may have been all for nothing if they had given in and given up. Thankfully, the believers in Thessalonica were still standing firmly and faithfully on the truth of the Gospel.  

But imagine how different this story may have gone if Paul had not been honest and upfront with them about the extreme likelihood of having to endure suffering for their faith. Imagine if they hadn’t known to expect that. Imagine how shocked and surprised they would have been when the trouble started! 

Sadly, I think that is why some people who grew up in the church in the US have fallen away. They were sold a lie. They were told that all of their dreams would come true if only they had enough faith. Not only are most American Christians not expecting persecution but many preachers haven’t even taught them to expect suffering in general. Imagine thinking that God won’t allow you to suffer but then receiving a terminal diagnosis. Imagine earnestly praying for your loved one to be healed but they die. If you have no theology of suffering, this would be an extreme shock that would lead you to doubt God’s goodness, maybe even His power. It may even cause you to walk away! 

It helps us to remember that we have brothers and sisters in other parts of the world who are experiencing all of the suffering and distress that life brings, in addition to severe persecution. In some places, Christianity isn’t even legal. Being a Christian can lead to a jail sentence or a death sentence. In the US, we are still free to practice our faith. And yet, this is getting challenged more and more with people losing their jobs or getting taken to court for faith-based issues.  

I believe that we should continue to fight for our religious freedoms. But we still have to be prepared to suffer and expect to be persecuted! Sickness, disability, death, financial problems, etc. Those things come for all of us eventually. But Jesus Himself said, “Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20). A sound theology of suffering says not just that hard times come for everyone in life and Christians are not excluded. That is part of it. But Christians who are trying to live a godly life, faithful to God’s Word can expect to suffer for their faith as well (2 Timothy 3:12).  

That sounds like a lot of bad news. So don’t forget the good part! Jesus both warned and encouraged us: “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Suffering is in this world only. But Jesus has overcome this world! As believers in Him, we can rest assured that suffering and persecution won’t exist in the next! 

Respond  

Lord, you know that I don’t want to suffer. And yet, you have warned us that we will experience trouble and persecution in this world. So, I need Your strength, courage, and peace to endure it. Remind me that suffering is only temporary and only in this world but eternity will be pain-free! Praise You, Lord, for that! Amen. 

Reveal 

When we faithfully and patiently endure suffering of any kind, it reveals our trust in God to others. Think about how you are witnessing to others during times of suffering.