Category Archives: Suffering

Affliction, Bible, Praise, Reward, Scripture, Sharing, Suffering

THE REWARD FOR SHARING

PHILIPPIANS 4:14

“Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my difficulty.”

Sharing is not something that is natural. Just watch a room of two-year-olds playing together in a playroom. It won’t be long until one child wants the toy another child has, and the fight begins. Instead of sharing that toy with the other child, that child gets a death grip on that toy. He is not letting go, no matter what.

Paul compliments the Philippians believers in today’s verse by telling them they “have done well to share” with him in his difficulty or afflictions. They had not forgotten him. They had sent the gift to him to help meet his needs. Don’t you know they beamed with pride when they read those words “you have done well”? Man, I want to hear that from my Lord one day, don’t you?

APPLICATION

The word Paul uses here for “share” is only used two other times in the New Testament, both in a negative way. In Ephesians 5:11 we are told to “not participate in the useless deeds of darkness,…” And in Revelation 18:4, John writes, “so that you will not participate in her sins and receive any of her plagues;…” Only here in Philippians 4:14 is it used positively.

Just like the Philippians did with Paul, we are to share in others’ suffering. We are to come alongside them and encourage them. We are to assist where and when possible, without enabling or lengthening their suffering. Who can you share that with today? Maybe a neighbor going through a hard time. Maybe a stranger who needs a helping hand. Look around and ask the Lord. He’ll show you.

The end result? We will hear our Savior say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” Oh, I long to hear those words. He whispers it to me when I love my wife well. He reminds me of it every time I yield to the Spirit and not to the flesh. If you want to hear those words, cling to Him. Share suffering and hardships with others through giving or going. Well done!

I praise You, Father, for allowing me the privilege to share in others’ suffering. Help me to answer Your call each time You ask. 

You can make an investment in our ministry at www.twr.org/carl-willis

Standard
Bible, Death, Knowledge, Power, Resurrection, Scripture, Suffering

SUFFERING AND DEATH

PHILIPPIANS 3:10

“that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;”

There are a lot of people I can’t wait to get to know when I get to heaven. How exactly did it smell inside that fish, Jonah? Paul, did you write Hebrews? And Jesus, what was your childhood like? Even though I want to get to know all the saints in heaven, I do not want to experience all the trials they had here on earth. But in today’s verse, Paul says exactly that.

The word Paul uses for “know” is ginóskó. This Greek word for “know” is to know especially through personal experience. It’s the word used when Mary said she had not known a man yet. But Paul isn’t just talking about knowing Jesus and learning more about Him. He says to know “the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings.” And Paul did experience his own sufferings and eventual death by beheading.

APPLICATION

If I asked you to join me in my sufferings and death for Jesus, what would you do? Probably run as fast as you could away from me. Peter tells us in 1 Peter 4:12-13, “12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though something strange were happening to you; 13  but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that at the revelation of His glory you may also rejoice and be overjoyed.”

Now, that sounds absolutely crazy, right? Rejoice in sufferings? James says the same thing in James 1:2-4. “Consider it all joy…” Have these writers of God’s Word lost it? Of course not. They are simply penning the very thoughts and words of God. God is telling us to rejoice in these sufferings. Rejoice if you are called on to give up your life for Jesus. Then you will fully know Him.

Okay Carl, I’m not planning on doing that any time soon, so how can I know Him more fully today? Die to self! Crucify your flesh! Die to every selfish desire you have and give it all to Him. When you do suffer a trial of some sort, trust Him in it and give Him praise. Do you want to really know Jesus? Then you have to join him in his suffering and death. Come to Him. Let Him show Himself to you.

Father, I will rejoice in the trials that come my way knowing that You have allowed them to purify me.

Standard
Bible, Gifts, Scripture, Struggles, Suffering, Trust

THE GIFT OF SUFFERING

PHILIPPIANS 1:29

“For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer on His behalf,”

Have you ever gotten a gift that you really didn’t ask for or want? You know, that pair of socks from your grandma for Christmas, for example. My wife always wanted to make sure our two kids got equal amounts of gifts at Christmas. One year she was one short for my son, so she picked up a flannel shirt for him. Now, my son wouldn’t have been caught dead wearing flannel back then, lol. You could just see it when he opened the gift. He was gracious, but…

Well, today Paul mentions a gift that no one asks for and really do not want – the gift of suffering. He says it pretty clearly, “it has been granted.” We know Paul knew a little bit about suffering. Yet he still calls it a gift. Why? Because he knew the result of suffering was a deeper dependence on Almighty God. Suffering was part of his initial calling as we see in Acts 9:15-16. The Lord was giving instructions to Ananias to tell Paul. “15 But the Lord said to him, ‘Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; 16 for I will show him how much he must suffer in behalf of My name.’”

APPLICATION

In Luke 7:21, the same Greek word for “granted” which we see in today’s verse is translated as “gave” when Luke describes Jesus’ actions to the blind. “At that very time He cured many people of diseases and afflictions and evil spirits; and He gave sight to many who were blind.’ 

Over in 1 Corinthians 2:12 we see the word translated as “freely given.” “Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God.” 

Granted, gave, and freely given all point to one thing – a gift given graciously by Jesus. Will you accept this gift of suffering for Christ’s sake? Embrace it. His suffering is always perfect. It is never too much. It will bring us closer to Him. Do you believe that? He will love you through it all.

Lord, I do not want suffering, but if You allow it I know it is for my good. I will receive it.

Standard
Bible, Encouragement, Prison, Scripture, Suffering, Testimony

ENCOURAGEMENT THROUGH SUFFERING

PHILIPPIANS 1:14

“and that most of the brothers and sisters, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.”

have mentioned several times about my two stem cell transplants I underwent for my Amyloidosis treatment. Both involved a considerable amount of suffering that I had rather not endure again. But both of these experiences served to encourage others in their own walk of faith. I can’t begin to tell you the number of people who were praying for me worldwide and the cards and letters I received from friends and family. Many even sent money to help with our expenses. These people experienced my suffering by praying and supporting us.

Paul is in prison, but he is still encouraging these believers. How can that be? How can one man’s suffering encourage others? Paul uses a Greek word here to describe what these Philippian Christians were doing. The verb “have…courage” is tolmaó, and it means “to show daring courage necessary for a valid risk (putting it all on the line); courageously venture forward by putting fear behind and embracing the fruit that lies ahead for taking a necessary risk.” (HELPS Word Studies)

APPLICATION

So, how do we do that? By doing exactly what the Philippians believers did. Here is what Albert Barnes said about their courage to speak forth about Jesus without fear. “This might have been either: (1) that from the very fact that so distinguished a champion of the truth had been imprisoned, they were excited to do all they could in the cause of the gospel. Or, (2) they were aroused by the fact that the cause of his imprisonment had become generally understood, and that there was a strong current of popular favor setting toward Christianity in consequence of it. Or, (3) they had had contact with Paul in his own ‘hired house,’ and had been incited and encouraged by him to put forth great efforts in the cause. Or, (4) it would seem that some had been emboldened to promulgate their views, and set themselves up as preachers, who would have been restrained if Paul had been at liberty.”

Any of those speculations could have been the truth. The bottom line – they were encouraged by Paul’s suffering. When you see others suffering, what is your response? I pray it is not just to have pity on them. No! We should immediately begin to pray for them. By doing so, God builds our own faith. We can see Him work through difficult situations. We can experience a deeper faith by trusting in His divine will.

In Mark 15:43 when Jospeh of Arimathea went up to ask Pilate for Jesus’ body, this same word is used. It says, “…he gathered up courage and went in before Pilate…” That took courage. That was daring. Pilate had just crucified Jesus. But Joseph’s faith in Jesus as the Messiah had been strengthened by Jesus’ suffering and death. Thus, we have the empty tomb which was provided by Joseph.

How can you encourage others in your suffering? How can you be encouraged by someone else’s suffering? Think about that.

O God, no one likes to suffer or see suffering but use it to strengthen our faith or the faith of others.

Standard
Affliction, Bible, Scripture, Suffering

CONTINUE THE SUFFERING

COLOSSIANS 1:24

“Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am supplementing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions in behalf of His body, which is the church.”

No one likes to suffer. Am I right? I have been watching a tv series about Christian martyrs. None of them wanted to suffer. The key was they were willing to suffer. I go to suffering kicking and screaming. I feel I have done enough suffering. (Can I get an “Amen”?) But in comparison to the suffering of Christ, I have not scratched the surface.

That’s the point of Paul’s words in today’s verse. At first glance it may appear that Paul is saying Christ was lacking in His afflictions. Nothing could be further from the truth. Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers gives a good response to this thought. “St. Paul expressly says (in the full force of the original) that ‘he fills up instead’ of his Master, what is still left unfinished of his Master’s afflictions. He declares, i.e., that, succeeding to the suffering of Christ, he carries it out for the sake of His body the Church. This is, indeed, nothing but a clearer and more striking expression of the truth conveyed in 2 Corinthians 1:5, ‘The sufferings of Christ overflow to us,’ so that we bear our part, in addition to the full measure which He bore; and even in the commoner expression, to be ‘partaker of Christ’s sufferings’ (Philippians 3:10; 1 Peter 4:13), or ‘to drink of His cup and be baptised with His baptism’ (Matthew 20:22-23).”

APPLICATION

That was a long quote, I know. But I think Ellicott explained it well. Paul was not saying Christ fell short in His suffering. He was saying that now he (Paul) was taking up the suffering of Christ himself. The verses Ellicott shared (2 Corinthians 1:5; Philippians 3:10; 1 Peter 4:13; Matthew 20:22-23) all speak to that. We, as followers of Christ, can expect suffering. In fact, suffering is called a gift. When you give a gift to someone, don’t you look forward to the expression of the recipient? God does the same. He is waiting to see how we respond to His gift.

Hold it just a minute, Carl. Are you saying God wants us to suffer? I didn’t say that. I said when God gifts us suffering, He watches for our response. Anything God allows in our life should bring us closer to Him. I can’t begin to explain all the tragedies that occur to believers. I am sure there were some believers among those who were killed in the recent terrorist attack in New Orleans. But I do know we can trust the God who allows the suffering.

Perhaps you are going through a period of suffering right now. Take a minute (if you haven’t already done this) and ask the Father a couple of questions. 1) What do You want to teach me in this suffering? 2) How can I use this suffering to testify about You to others? God always has a plan for everything. Be like Paul and continue the sufferings of Christ in your life.

O Lord, I don’t want suffering in my life, but if You allow it, I will receive it.

Standard
Bible, Bondslaves, Prison, Scripture, Servant, Suffering

CELLMATES

COLOSSIANS 1:7

“just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf,” 

What would be your first four words to your best friend if you both woke up to find yourselves in jail? Mine would be “What did you do?” Knowing my friends, I am sure they did something to get us there. It certainly could not have been me. Right? We always want to blame someone else for our circumstances. Well, most of the time, we are the guilty party.

In today’s verse, Paul shares about his cellmate, Epaphras. All we know about Epaphras is found in three verses in the New Testament. Here is one. Paul calls him “our beloved fellow bond-servant” and “a faithful servant of Christ.” Not too shabby of a description. I would be happy being known as that kind of person. Wouldn’t you? One day I am sure we will get to talk to Epaphras in heaven and hear the whole story.

APPLICATION

How can you be like Epaphras? Can you emulate his reputation in your own life? We learn from Colossians 4:12 a little more about him. “Epaphras, who is one of your own, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings, always striving earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.” Epaphras was a praying man. He was interceding for these Colossian believers even while he was in prison with Paul.

In Philemon 1:23 we learn this. “Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you,” Paul identifies Epaphras as his fellow prisoner. Epaphras has obviously come to visit Paul and got caught up in his arrest. He was willing to suffer alongside Paul. He didn’t run away when things got tough. That speaks a lot about his character, as well.

Maybe Paul’s first four words to Epaphras in jail were “What would Jesus do?” Maybe Paul is responsible for the first WWJD bracelet, made from prison shackles. Epaphras embraced his calling as a servant of Christ. Tradition says he became the Bishop of the Colossian church. I would not be surprised if that was true. We’ll have to ask him about that one day.

Father, give me the boldness and tenacity of Epaphras to do whatever I am required for Your kingdom.

Standard
Affliction, Bible, Boldness, Brokenness, Courage, Faith, Fear, God's Will, Modeling, Oppression, Scripture, Suffering

AN EXAMPLE OF SUFFERING

EPHESIANS 3:13

“Therefore I ask you not to become discouraged about my tribulations in your behalf, since they are your glory.”

Suffering is not something I welcome. I mean, come on, who would? No one wants to suffer. But we have to be willing to accept it and embrace it when the Lord allows it. Those who know my story witnessed my suffering during my health crisis back in 2010 and then again in 2020. Stem cell transplants and chemo are no laughing matter. So many people prayed for me during that time. I know my suffering helped build a lot of people’s prayer life. For that I am grateful.

As Paul sits in a Roman prison, he tells the Ephesians to not feel sorry for him and to not get discouraged. A lot of versions translate “discouraged” as “faint. Albert Barnes says this, “The word rendered ‘faint’ – ἐκκακέω egkakeō – means literally, to turn out ‘a coward,’ or to lose one’s courage; then to be fainthearted,” Paul is trying to encourage the Ephesians to remain bold and not let his present circumstance be a barrier to their growth in Christ and the spreading of the Gospel.

APPLICATION

That Greek word egkakeo, is only used six times in the New Testament (Luke 18:1; 2 Corinthians 4:1, 16; Galatians 6:9, here in Ephesians 3:13; and 2 Thessalonians 3:13). I really like how the word is used in Luke 18:1. “Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not become discouraged,” Jesus knew that pray helps remove discouragement. It lifts us up. It brings us face to face with our Father in heaven whom we know is listening intently to our requests.

In 2 Corinthians 4:1 and 16, we see egkakeo translated as “lose heart.” “1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart, 16 Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer person is decaying, yet our inner person is being renewed day by day’” Have you ever lost heart about something? I have. In fact, I am going through something right now that is very hard not to lose heart about. But I must continue to trust in the Lord’s providence and power.

Listen, God may decide to use you to be a source of encouragement for others. Your suffering (like Paul’s) may the one thing that shows them they too can trust in Jesus. So, embrace the suffering the Lord allows in your life. Allow the light of Jesus to shine through you as you draw people to Jesus like moths to a light.

Lord, I do not like to suffer, but I will submit myself to Your almighty hand, knowing You have a perfect plan.

Standard
Bible, God's Will, Modeling, Perfection, Scripture, Strength, Suffering, Testimony, Testing

WHAT ARE YOU SUFFERING FOR?

GALATIANS 3:4

“Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?”

Raise your hand if you are suffering right now? That wasn’t very many. Let’s try that again. Just kidding. I can’t really see your hands raised. But if I asked each of you individually that same question, you may respond in the affirmative. Perhaps you are suffering for your faith right now. You may face ridicule and scorn from family or friends. Your employer may harass you because of your Christian stance on issues. If that is your case, then Paul asks you a question today.

As Paul addressed the Galatian believers, he asked them this question we find in today’s verse. Many of them had suffered for turning to Christ. Some of them may have lost everything to follow Jesus. If they had not personally suffered, they probably knew someone who had. Suffering in the first century for Jesus was not an uncommon thing. Is it worth it today?

APPLICATION

In Philippians 1:29, Paul says this about the issue of suffering. “For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,” How about Romans 5:3-4. “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,”

There’s a purpose in our sufferings. Recently, I was with someone who is going through a tough physical challenge. I told them that God allows us to go through things in our lives for a couple of reasons. One is to draw us to Himself. He will often use our life experiences to show Himself to us and call us into His family. Secondly, as believers, I believe He uses suffering to refine us and make us more like Jesus.

Paul is reminding the Galatians believers that their suffering was not in vain. God had brought them so far for a purpose. He had proven that He was all they needed. Why go back to the fleshly way of living? Why go back to trying to earn your way to heaven? God was and will always be all we need. He has given us direct access to the throne through His Son, Jesus. Simply rest in Him.

O Lord, You are all I need. I thank You that You consider me worthy of suffering for Your name.

Standard
Bible, Compassion, Faithfulness, Family, Goodness, Rescue, Scripture, Suffering

THE COMPASSION OF A FATHER

MALACHI 3:17

“‘And they will be Mine,’ says the LORD of armies, ‘on the day that I prepare My own possession, and I will have compassion for them just as a man has compassion for his own son who serves him.’”

I have one son whom I love dearly. I would do anything for him and his family. I believe he knows that. A few months ago, while our daughter-in-law was out of town, he got sick. He called me and said, “Dad, I might need you today. I’m not feeling well.” I, of course, said, “If you need me, I’ll be right there.” We hung up, but he called back within a few minutes and asked if I could come right then. My wife and I dropped everything and took off. I would have done anything right then to get to him. He needed me.

The Lord compares His compassion for the people with that of father to his son. I can relate to that. God’s love for us runs deep. The Hebrew word for “compassion” is chamal, which can mean to spare or have pity. But here, it is best defined as compassion. The Lord knew their need and came to them, much like I did for my own son.

APPLICATION

I love what Lamentations 3:22-23 says about His compassion. “22 The LORD’S acts of mercy indeed do not end, for His compassions do not fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” And we have David writing in Psalm 51:1, “Be gracious to me, God, according to Your faithfulness;

according to the greatness of Your compassion, wipe out my wrongdoings.”

Do a word study on the Lord’s compassion. You may be amazed how that word is used throughout Scripture. In the Old Testament, the word is used over forty times. One of the greatest demonstrations of our Lord’s compassion is found in John 11:35 where it simply says, “Jesus wept.” We see the outpouring of His compassion for his friend, Lazarus.

God shows His compassion for His children every day, just like we earthly fathers do our children. When we see our children suffering, we are quick to respond, right? Well, God is even quicker because He knows what’s coming. Don’t you wish you could see that far in advance. Well, maybe not. Let’s leave that up to Him.

You are a compassionate God, and I thank You. Your compassions are truly new every morning.

Standard
Affliction, Belief, Bible, Covenant, God's Will, Judgment, Rescue, Scripture, Suffering

SCATTERING

ZECHARIAH 1:19

“So I said to the angel who was speaking with me, ‘What are these?’ And he said to me, ‘These are the horns that have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.’” 

I love Waffle House, a restaurant chain here in the U.S. Their specialty is breakfast. Their staff have a certain lingo they use to describe the orders that are called out loud from the waiter(ess) to the cook who you can see at the grill. One particular word they use is “scattered,” which means to spread the hash browns on the grill. I love mine scattered and smothered (with onions), “covered” (with cheese), “chunked” (with diced ham), “diced” (with diced tomatoes), “peppered” (with jalapeño peppers), and “topped” (with chili). Where is my nearest Waffle House?

The angel tells Zechariah in today’s verse that the horns “have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.” They had been spread out due to these nation’s conquest of them. Of course, these nations had been the “hand of God,” delivering His judgment. After all the scattering, God is bringing them back. It’s as if the Lord wants to make sure Zechariah and the people don’t forget.

APPLICATION

You may feel “scattered” today. You may believe God has forgotten you and left you in exile. That is not true. God has a unique plan for your life, unlike any other. He will not leave you destitute and forgotten. Jesus said this concerning the last days. “‘And then He will send forth the angels, and will gather together His elect from the four winds, from the end of the earth to the end of heaven.’”

Do you think He has forgotten you? No way. That is just a lie from the pit of hell. The devil loves to whisper those words to get us to doubt who we are in Christ. Philippians 2:15 tells us this about who we are. “…so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world,…”

You and I are children of the Holy God. He may scatter us at times on the grill of life, but He will gather us back in. He will not allow His children to go unguarded and unprotected. So why does God allow the wicked to prosper and me to suffer? Aww, the question of the ages. Trust! He is there. Just like that short order cook at the Waffle House, He is always listening. And His preparation is always perfect.

On the days I feel I am scattered, gather me in, Lord.

Standard