An Honor To Suffer | Trusting God through pain and hardships

An Honor to Suffer

Suffering is a topic that many of us shy away from, yet it’s a reality we all face in some form. Whether it's physical, emotional, spiritual, or mental pain, suffering is part of the human experience. But what does it really mean to suffer, and how should we respond when faced with it? Is it possible that suffering can hold a deeper meaning, something more than just hardship and pain?

Before we dive in, let's take a moment to define what suffering truly is.

Defining Suffering

I’ve often caught myself thinking, “There are people who have been through worse, so I haven’t really suffered” and If you’ve thought the same, you’re not alone. We tend to downplay our own pain, convincing ourselves that it isn’t as significant as the suffering of others. And while I’m not here to convince you that you’ve suffered in a way that others haven’t, I do want to take a moment to validate the pain and difficulties you’ve experienced.

Let’s first look at how we define suffering. According to Merriam-Webster, suffering is something that causes distress, often implying a temporary cause of great physical or mental strain.

The Hebrew word for suffering, סֵבֶל (Se-vel), encompasses physical, spiritual, mental, emotional, or psychological pain.

For me, when I think of suffering, my mind often gravitates toward images of persecution of the Church and believers around the world. But when I read this definition, it broadened my understanding, making me realize suffering can present itself in many forms beyond what I had originally considered.

Now that we have a deeper understadning of suffering —whether physical, spiritual, emotional, or mental, let me share a personal experience that helped me understand the deeper meaning of suffering.

A Personal Experience with Suffering

On October 29, 2023, I sustained my tenth concussion and living with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been incredibly difficult. One of the biggest challenges that I had faced was not being able to praise God through song without feeling dizzy or even physically ill. I had always praised the Lord through music, but with my body uncooperative, I turned to alternative ways of expressing my praise. Still, my heart longed to worship through song again, without being physically affected.

Then, on January 4, 2024, I had an encounter with the Spirit of God. I was sitting on the floor, painting my sister’s nails, when I felt a strong stirring in my heart. God was calling me to praise Him through song.

At first, I hesitated, knowing it would make me sick, but I could not ignore the calling of the Spirit. I turned on some live worship music and began to praise the Lord. As I knelt down, God spoke to me, urging me to lie down prostrate before Him. It was a position I had rarely taken, but I obeyed, and in that moment, something deep within me shifted.

As I lay there, worshipping, the Lord compelled me to write down in my journal what he was speaking. It is so personal, so raw for me, and I’ve prayed about whether or not to share it, but in my heart, I knew I had to share it with others.

An Honor to suffer

These are the words from my Journal:

“You come to this place where you realize God will either heal you on earth or in heaven. This realization pains my heart [for I want his healing now]. My flesh wants to lash out, but my spirit… Oh, how my spirit wants to praise the king of kings. To worship the one who made the heavens and the earth.

Does my suffering mean the Lord has forsaken me? Does my pain mean I’ve been abandoned?

Absolutely not.

For I am on the mind of the creator of the world (Psalm 8). I will never be able to see the full scope of God’s plan from beginning to end (Ecclesiastes 3). In this pain, suffering, and confusion, I have not been forgotten.

I am on the mind of the creator of the world. The One who made the heavens and the earth. The One who formed me in my mother’s womb.

My God allows me to suffer so His glory may shine through me (John 9). This isn’t a punishment, but an honor. I do not say this lightly. I know the weight of these words.

I do believe that I can see suffering for the Lord as an honor, yet still be uncomfortable with it and pray for it to end.

I will rejoice in my suffering. I will be honored to suffer for the Lord so that His glory may be displayed.

But I will still cry. I will still beg God to heal me and end this suffering. Whichever way it may go… Abba is holy. Abba is worthy. His name will always be praised on my lips, even when I do not understand my circumstances.

Amen.”

Why Does God Allow Suffering?

When it comes to the question of why God allows us to suffer, the honest answer is, “I don’t know.”

But I do know this:

Ecclesiastes 3:11 says,

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”

We are unable to see the full picture of God’s plan. Our perspective is limited, but God’s is not and while we may not understand why we suffer, the Word tells us that in our suffering, God's glory can shine through. The question is, will we allow our pain to be a vessel for His glory?

Jesus gives us further clarity in John 9:3 when He says,

“Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.”

Our suffering can be an opportunity for God's glory to be revealed. It's not about denying the pain or pretending it doesn't matter. It’s about shifting our focus from the pain itself to the hope that God will use it for His glory.

Does God Forsake Us in Our Suffering?

Psalm 9:10-12 reminds us,

“Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.”

God has not abandoned us. He is present with us in our suffering. And when we feel like we’ve been forgotten, Psalm 8:4 tells us that

“What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?”

God is mindful of us. He cares deeply for us, and He is with us in our pain.

The Struggle Between Flesh and Spirit

There’s something important to note here: just because we choose to trust in God’s plan doesn’t mean that the pain magically disappears. I still cry. I still wrestle with my emotions. There are days when I question the suffering I’m enduring. It’s okay too long for healing, to want the pain to stop.

The difference now is that I am not without hope. I know that whether I’m healed on earth or in heaven, God is in control, and He is good. It’s a process—one that requires faith, trust, and the understanding that God’s ways are higher than ours.

I also recognize that my pain is an opportunity to glorify God. It’s not easy, but I strive to praise Him in the midst of my suffering, knowing that His glory is being revealed through it.

Choosing Faith Over Doubt

In moments of doubt, we must choose to believe the truth of God’s Word over the lies that the enemy tries to plant in our minds. We must remember who God is and what He has promised. We must hold onto His Word, allowing it to strengthen and guide us through our struggles.

So, in the face of suffering, I ask you: Will you choose to believe the truth? Will you choose to trust in God's plan, even when you don’t understand it?

In the end, God doesn't owe us anything. In fact, we owe Him everything. And as we walk through life’s struggles, may we remember that suffering can be an honor—a way for God’s glory to shine through us.