...our suffering and the Lord's...

“12 I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually resulted in the progress of the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to everyone else that my imprisonment is for Christ, 14 and most of the brothers and sisters, having been made confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, dare to speak the word with greater boldness and without fear.

15 Some proclaim Christ from envy and rivalry but others from goodwill. 16 These proclaim Christ out of love, knowing that I have been put here for the defense of the gospel; 17 the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but intending to increase my suffering in my imprisonment. 18 What does it matter? Just this, that Christ is proclaimed in every way, whether out of false motives or true, and in that I rejoice” Philippians 1:12-18.

Paul says things here that have helped me personally in my own life and for decades as a pastor. Paul says that “my imprisonment is for Christ”     (verse 13), and all that matters is that in “my suffering and imprisonment…Christ is proclaimed” (verse 18). For me, this has always been a way to think about why we suffer. Our seemingly “unfair” or “underserved or unnecessary” suffering is like Paul’s “unfair” or “undeserved or unnecessary” imprisonment. And the only way we can make sense of suffering is to see that Christ is proclaimed in our suffering. We suffer in life for Christ!

This makes sense only if we align our suffering with the suffering of Christ!

Just as Jesus suffered unjustly, unfairly, and undeservedly, our suffering can — and must — be understood only when we surrender for Christ, only when we align our suffering — or join our suffering — to the suffering of Jesus Christ. This thought, this truth, this idea, only makes sense to Christians!

Only when we join our suffering to the suffering of Christ can we ever say what Paul said above in verse 18: I rejoice in my suffering only because I see in my suffering that Christ is proclaimed!

So if you are struggling now, take time now to give your suffering to the Lord. Tell the Lord that you see His suffering in your own suffering.

Today’s Prayer

Oh Lord, today is a tough day, and I am hurting.

But instead of only grieving, I remember Your suffering,

and I join my suffering with Yours.

May Your Spirit bring me relief, and may I see in Your life here on earth,

understanding of Your words to us all:

“Come to me all you who labor and are heavy-burdened,

and I will give you rest.

Take My yoke upon your shoulders, and learn from Me,

for I am gentle and humble at heart”  Matthew 11:28-30.

And this I earnestly pray through Jesus Christ, Our Lord,

who lives and reigns with us all. Amen!