For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him…
-Philippians 1:29, NIV
While the context of this verse is more precisely about persecution for professing Christ as Lord, I claim this for myself and any unjust suffering in general.
Suffering seems to be a strange thing to be “granted” as if it was a gift. Yet, I see how God took the unjust suffering in my situation and transformed the evil into gold.
Suffering has a way to either drive us into God’s arms or to our true god.
Another “gift” of suffering is how it can expand one’s capacity to empathize with others. It has a way to teach you the value of kindness as someone who once desperately needed such kindness.
Yes, suffering can bring forth fruit. It can be a gift as granted from God. When we suffer well, we bring glory to God. I am convinced.
The question remains is whether we will respond to our suffering with faith or disbelief.
