Glorifying God in Suffering
Glorifying God in Suffering
There are a number of verses that talk about our suffering. Paul certainly experienced his share, and we know that nearly all of the Apostles were martyred, for example.
There is a little truth in the idea that God is glorified in our suffering, but this is because we react to suffering very differently from those in the world. Our reactions of trust, hope, and peace can cause others to see Christ in us and seek Him for themselves. In our response to suffering we show His strength, love, and grace.
This is very different from the idea that “the more we suffer, the more God is glorified.” Father does not bring calamity. All the evil in the world is due to the fact that we live in a fallen world and the enemy of our souls is the god of this world. That old snake has blinded people to the truth.
We live in this world as ambassadors. Our home is the Kingdom of God. Father is not causing our suffering and He does not allow it so that He can sadistically get more glory. He walks through suffering with us and grieves over it just as we do.
In John 17:20–24 Jesus said, “I am not asking on behalf of these alone, but also for those who believe in Me through their word, that they may all be one; just as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. “The glory which You have given Me I also have given to them, so that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and You loved them, just as You loved Me. Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.” (NASB 2020)
Jesus has given us His glory. That’s why He is glorified by us in this world. That’s true when we suffer, and it’s true when we prosper. It’s true in good times and bad. His glory is evident in and through us. In this way, “we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20 (NASB 2020)
