Suffering is necessary in the Christian life

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"...we must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God" - Acts 14:20-27

Probably one the strangest things for an outsider to see in the Christian faith (indeed many who say they are Christians themselves do not accept this) is the rejoicing in suffering. Not finding joy in spite of suffering, but rejoicing in the suffering as a worthy thing that has been given to you. "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 (Philippians 1:29)."


"Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name." - Acts 5:41

This is the true beauty of God, how He can redeem anything, even the past for the sake of His glory. And His glory is not separate from your wholeness and your fullness of existence. Indeed, God is truly glorified in the person that is truly alive. But we can't be that in comfort. In a similar way St. Seraphim of Sarov says like the verse above, "It is only by many sorrows that we enter the kingdom of heaven."

Let us not assume to be different from ancient Isreal, for she "trusted in her own beauty (Ezekiel 16:15)," a beauty that was given to her to by the love of God (Ezekiel 16:1-14). You see that we exalt in ourselves what we did not create, but what we merely received. Therefore, God finds it necessary, for the soul of the person, to allow them to endure hardship as the means of perfecting the person in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Let us also not assume that our sufferings are different. Let us not say, "we are not being persecuted" or "we are not martyrs." Does not St. Nikolai of Ochrid teach that one does not need to seek martyrdom for the Christian life itself is martyrdom? And if it is true martyrdom then we must view our hardships, whatever they may be, as God's call to lay down our lives.

"...he who does not forsake all that he has cannot be my disciple." -Luke 14:33

"If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow Me."-Matthew 16:24

Beloved, let us turn, truly, it times of trial to the Lord, knowing that this is the purpose of our hardships, that we may see the finitude of our lives, the fleeting joy of temporary pleasure and the eternal satisfaction and fullness that is only found in Christ. Let us grip something that is eternal.