7 Reasons Why We’re Called to Suffer With Christ

Have you ever wondered why some of the most faithful Christians seem to face the toughest battles? Suffering with Christ can feel like a heavy phrase, especially when we’re already navigating life’s challenges. Yet, in my years of pastoral counseling, I’ve witnessed how understanding this concept has transformed people’s perspectives from viewing their trials as punishments to seeing them as profound opportunities for growth.

Throughout this journey of discovering what it means to suffer with Christ, we’ll explore seven life-changing truths: how persecution strengthens our faith, why standing for truth matters, the power of sacrificial love, and the transformative impact of facing ministry challenges with grace. Whether you’re a new believer questioning your current struggles or a seasoned Christian seeking deeper understanding, these insights will help you navigate your path with renewed purpose and hope.

Think of suffering with Christ like training with a master athlete – it’s not about the pain itself, but about the transformation that occurs through the process. Just yesterday, Maria from our prayer group shared how her battle with chronic illness led her to a depth of faith she never knew existed. Your struggles, whatever they may be, can become stepping stones to a more profound relationship with Jesus when viewed through the lens of suffering with Christ.

 1. Suffering for Righteousness’ Sake

“You lost the account because you wouldn’t lie?” Mark nodded slowly at our lunch meeting. His commitment to honesty had cost him a major client, but his peaceful expression told a deeper story. This kind of suffering – choosing righteousness over worldly gain – is exactly what Jesus spoke about in Matthew 5:10: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Suffering for righteousness isn’t always about dramatic persecution. Sometimes it’s the quiet choices we make daily: refusing to participate in office gossip, standing firm on biblical principles in a hostile environment, or choosing integrity when dishonesty might bring quick profits. Peter reminds us, “If you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed” (1 Peter 3:14).

Today’s challenges might look different from biblical times, but the core remains the same. Consider Daniel, who faced the lions’ den rather than compromise his prayer life (Daniel 6), or Joseph, who chose prison over moral compromise (Genesis 39). Their stories remind us that suffering for righteousness often comes with both a cost and a reward.

 2. Suffering Builds Character

“I wouldn’t wish that year on anyone,” Lisa shared during our small group, “but I wouldn’t trade what it taught me either.” After losing her job, house, and dealing with chronic illness all in one year, she discovered what James meant when he wrote, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance” (James 1:2-3).

Think of character like a muscle – it needs resistance to grow stronger. Each trial we face with Christ becomes a spiritual workout, building endurance we didn’t know we needed. Paul understood this when he wrote, “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Romans 5:3-4).

The transformation process isn’t comfortable, but it’s purposeful. Just as gold must endure the refiner’s fire to be purified, our faith often requires testing to develop genuine strength. As Peter explains, “These trials have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith… may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed” (1 Peter 1:7).

 3. Sharing in Christ’s Mission

When Tom and Maria decided to sell their dream home to serve as missionaries in a dangerous region, many called them crazy. But they understood something profound about sharing in Christ’s mission – it often involves sacrifice. As Paul declared, “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings” (Philippians 3:10).

Sharing in Christ’s mission means participating in His work of redemption, which often involves personal cost. Sometimes it’s financial sacrifice, other times it’s emotional or physical hardship. Paul captured this reality when he wrote, “Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church” (Colossians 1:24).

This participation in Christ’s mission isn’t about earning salvation or proving our worth. Rather, it’s about joining Jesus in His ongoing work of reaching and transforming lives. Consider missionaries throughout history who left comfort for hardship, or modern believers who risk everything to share the gospel in restricted nations. Their suffering isn’t punishment – it’s partnership with Christ in His redemptive work.

Remember Jesus’s words to his disciples: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). Taking up our cross means accepting the challenges that come with following Christ’s mission, knowing that our temporary suffering serves an eternal purpose.

 4. Suffering Deepens Our Relationship with God

“It was in my darkest moments that I felt God’s presence most strongly,” shared Rachel, a cancer survivor from our church. Her story echoes what many believers discover – that suffering often becomes the soil where intimacy with God grows deepest. This truth reflects Paul’s heart when he wrote, “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings” (Philippians 3:10).

Think about your closest relationships. Didn’t they often grow stronger through shared difficulties? Similarly, suffering draws us closer to God in unique ways. When everything else is stripped away, we discover what David meant in Psalm 34:18: “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

During trials, we experience God’s comfort personally rather than theoretically. Paul explains this in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles.” This comfort transforms our understanding of God from distant deity to intimate Father.

 5. Suffering as Witness

Last month, our colleague Mike’s response to being unfairly fired caught everyone’s attention. Instead of rage or retaliation, he showed grace and continued to speak well of the company. His Christ-like response opened more doors for gospel conversations than years of lunch break Bible studies. As Peter writes, “But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God” (1 Peter 2:20).

Suffering becomes a powerful testimony because it shows our faith isn’t just for good times. When we respond to trials with faith, hope, and love, people notice. Paul understood this when he wrote, “Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:10).

Our response to suffering can be the most powerful sermon we’ll ever preach. It demonstrates that our faith is real, tested, and triumphant even in adversity. As Jesus promised, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

 6. Suffering with Eternal Purpose

“Sometimes I have to remind myself this isn’t the end of the story,” whispered Anna, clutching her husband’s hand during his funeral. In that moment of raw grief, she grasped a profound truth about suffering – it has eternal significance. Paul captures this perspective perfectly: “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Corinthians 4:17).

Every trial we face with Christ has purpose beyond our present pain. Like a master weaver creating a tapestry, God works our suffering into a larger pattern of redemption. Romans 8:18 reminds us, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”

This eternal perspective doesn’t minimize our current pain, but it infuses it with meaning. Each tear, struggle, and sacrifice becomes an investment in eternal glory. As Peter encourages us, “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast” (1 Peter 5:10).

7. Suffering in Community

When Sarah lost her child, our church family rallied around her – meals appeared at her doorstep, shoulders were offered for tears, and prayers never ceased. This beautiful picture of community support illustrates Paul’s teaching: “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it” (1 Corinthians 12:26).

Christian suffering isn’t meant to be faced alone. The early church modeled this beautifully, sharing resources, encouraging the persecuted, and strengthening one another in trials. As Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 wisely notes, “Two are better than one… If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”

Community support in suffering serves multiple purposes:

– Practical help in times of need

– Emotional support and understanding

– Spiritual encouragement and prayer

– Shared wisdom from others’ experiences

The writer of Hebrews emphasizes this: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together… but encouraging one another” (Hebrews 10:24-25). When we suffer in community, we not only find support but also provide living testimony to the power of Christian love.

Conclusion:

Understanding what it means to suffer with Christ transforms our perspective on life’s challenges from mere obstacles to opportunities for growth and testimony. As we’ve explored these seven aspects of Christ-like suffering, we see that it’s not about seeking hardship but about responding to trials with faith, courage, and love. Remember that you’re not alone in your struggles – countless believers throughout history have walked this path, and Christ Himself understands your pain. When we embrace the privilege of sharing in Christ’s sufferings, we also share in the promise of His glory and the joy of deeper intimacy with our Savior.