“Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin” (1 Peter 4:1)
Suffering is a fact of life. As much as we might try, we cannot escape it. The question is never, “Will we suffer?” it is only ever, “How will we suffer?”
There is much unnecessary suffering we can bring upon ourselves because of a failure to walk with God as we ought. We reap what we sow. But there is suffering of a different sort that is unconnected to any wrongdoing on our part. We can suffer for righteousness sake; or, we can suffer unjustly, being innocent of any trespass against God or man.
Jesus can help us in both these instances of suffering. When we suffer because of disobedience, if we repent, He can forgive and help us do better in the future. When we suffer, having done no wrong, He can enable us to take it patiently, without receiving damage to our soul. All manner of evil can form when we have been treated unjustly. Anger, bitterness, hatred, and vengeance easily takes hold of the heart that has not received the ministry of the Spirit of Christ.
Jesus is not an option for mankind. He is our only Savior. He saves us from our sins, and He saves us from our sinful responses to a world that is unjust, unkind, and often cruel. He is the overcomer, who came into the world to suffer for us, and to show us how to suffer well. If we let Him, He will help us to walk uprightly and spare us from the suffering that sin brings; and, He will preserve us holy when we suffer as He did, undeservedly and without cause.
Learn of Him, know Him in the fellowship of His sufferings, and find rest and healing for your soul.