What does it look like to suffer well?
Suffering well does not mean feeling no pain; it means suffering in a way that glorifies God. Scripture pictures it as entrusting ourselves to our faithful Creator, keeping our eyes on the eternal glory that suffering is working, rejoicing that we share Christ's own sufferings, and drawing near to God in our weakness. It is not a stoic endurance but a trust-filled, prayerful, hope-shaped way of facing pain.
This question arose from studying Why does God allow suffering and evil? and What does it mean that the world hates Jesus?.
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What the Scripture says
Suffering well follows Christ's example
Peter roots suffering well in Jesus: 'Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example, that you should follow his steps.' When He was reviled, He did not revile; when He suffered, He did not threaten, 'but committed himself to him who judges righteously.' It is a gracious thing, mindful of God, to endure unjust suffering patiently. Suffering well looks like Jesus: unretaliating, patient, and entrusting the outcome to God.
For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example, that you should follow his steps,
Who, when he was cursed, didn’t curse back. When he suffered, didn’t threaten, but committed himself to him who judges righteously;
For it is commendable if someone endures pain, suffering unjustly, because of conscience toward God.
Do not be surprised; rejoice in sharing Christ's sufferings
Suffering for Christ is not an accident but a sharing in Him. Peter urges, 'don't be astonished at the fiery trial which has come upon you, to test you, as though a strange thing happened to you. But because you are partakers of Christ's sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory you also may rejoice with exceeding joy.' And 'if you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed.' Suffering well finds in pain a fellowship with Jesus and a promise of joy.
Beloved, don’t be astonished at the fiery trial which has come upon you, to test you, as though a strange thing happened to you.
But because you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory you also may rejoice with exceeding joy.
If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed; because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. On their part he is blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified.
Entrust yourself to the faithful Creator
The end of the posture is surrender to God. Peter says that those who suffer according to God's will 'entrust their souls to him, as to a faithful Creator,' and cast all their worries on Him because He cares for them. The God of all grace, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore, establish, strengthen, and settle you. Suffering well holds its pain in the hands of a faithful, caring God, and waits for His strengthening.
Therefore let them also who suffer according to the will of God in doing good entrust their souls to him, as to a faithful Creator.
casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you.
But may the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
Keep your eyes on the glory it is working
Paul gives suffering an eternal horizon: our outer man is wasting away, but our inner man is renewed day by day, for 'our light affliction, which is for the moment, works for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory,' as we look not at the seen but at the unseen. He even rejoices in sufferings because they produce endurance, character, and hope that will not disappoint. Suffering well looks through the pain to the glory God is working in us.
Therefore we don’t faint, but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day.
For our light affliction, which is for the moment, works for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory;
while we don’t look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Not only this, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering works perseverance;
and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope:
And it is marked by patience and prayer
Suffering well is a sustained posture, not a single heroic moment. We are called to rejoice in hope, to be patient in tribulation, and to continue steadfastly in prayer. James says to count it all joy when we fall into trials, letting endurance have its perfect work, and to ask God for wisdom. Grace is sufficient in our weakness, and His strength is made perfect there. Suffering well is done one day at a time, in patience, in prayer, and in the daily strength He gives.
rejoicing in hope; enduring in troubles; continuing steadfastly in prayer;
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you fall into various temptations,
knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach; and it will be given to him.
He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me.
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Verses to meditate on
Who, when he was cursed, didn’t curse back. When he suffered, didn’t threaten, but committed himself to him who judges righteously;
Beloved, don’t be astonished at the fiery trial which has come upon you, to test you, as though a strange thing happened to you. But because you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory you also may rejoice with exceeding joy.
For our light affliction, which is for the moment, works for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory; while we don’t look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you.
But may the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
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