The Fruit of Suffering

For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. —1 Peter 2:21

It is impossible to be holy apart from suffering. Even Jesus Himself, during His years here on earth, was in some unexplainable way made “perfect through sufferings” (Heb. 2:10).

All the New Testament authors recognized that there is a redemptive, sanctifying fruit that cannot be produced in our lives apart from suffering. In fact, Peter goes so far as to insist that suffering is our calling—not just for some select group of Christian leaders or martyrs but for every child of God (1 Pet. 2:21).

True joy is not the absence of pain but the sanctifying, sustaining presence of the Lord Jesus in the midst of the pain. Through the whole process, whether it be a matter of days, weeks, months, or years, we have His promise: “The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little while” (1 Pet. 5:10).

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Lies Women Believe: And the Truth that Sets Them Free ©2001 Nancy Leigh DeMoss ©Revived Hearts Foundation

Scripture taken from The CSB