Submit To Suffering: Finding God's Presence In The Hardest Places
Blog inspired by Acts 16:16-34
Sermon Link: Submit To Suffering
Suffering is something that all of us experience, but it's something many of us would rather avoid or pretend isn't happening. As followers of Jesus, we celebrate His love, His peace, and His joy — but we don't always know what to do with the suffering that comes with following Him.
The apostle Paul's journey in Acts reminds us of a truth that isn't easy, but is essential: the Christian life is joy and suffering simultaneously. In Acts 16, Paul and Silas demonstrate that suffering doesn't silence the mission of God. Instead, it often becomes the very place where God's power is most clearly seen.
I encourage all of us to do something that sounds strange at first: Submit To Suffering. Not to chase it, not to fear it, but to trust God through it — because He's with us in it.
How To Respond When You're Suffering
1. Prepare For Suffering
We can't wait until hardship hits to decide who we trust. Prayer and scripture shape us so that when suffering comes, and Scripture promises it will (2 Timothy 3:12), our response is steadied by God rather than shaken by fear.
2. Acknowledge Your Suffering
You don't have to pretend everything is ok, even as a Christian. The book of Psalms shows us that it's biblical and healthy to be honest with God. Strength isn't displayed by ignoring your suffering. That makes you vulnerable. However, acknowledgment opens the door to transformation.
3. Rejoice In And Because Of Your Suffering
This doesn't mean to enjoy your pain but instead means seeing purpose. Suffering can be seen as a gift (Philippians 1:29) because God uses it to produce perseverance, maturity, and a testimony that can help others.
Your suffering glorifies God, and becomes a story that can strengthen someone else.
How To Respond When Others Are Suffering
1. Pray For Them
Praying for others is one of the greatest acts of love. When words fail, prayer stands in the gap.
2. Don't Minimize Their Suffering
Everyone carries their burdens differently. Instead of comparing timelines or diminishing their pain, we are called to listen and care.
3. Remind Them Of Truth
When the jailer cried out, "What must I do to be saved?" Paul and Silas reminded him of the hope and love of Jesus. When we speak to others out of our own sufferings and stories, our words carry weight.
Sometimes God delivers you from suffering so He can use you to deliver someone else.
How To Respond To Jesus' Suffering
Jesus suffered physically (beaten, whipped, crowned with thorns, pierced, mocked, and hung to die.) But His greatest suffering wasn't physical. It was being forsaken by the Father (Mark 15:34).
The worst pain in existence is separation from God — and Jesus took that pain for us. Because of His suffering:
"For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross." (Hebrews 12:2)
And for the joy set before us, we endure our suffering. (Romans 8:18)
Suffering Doesn't Stop The Mission — It Strengthens It
Acts 16 ends with joy, breakthrough, baptism, and the transformation of an entire household. The story began in prison, and ended in praise.
God advanced the Gospel through the willing and faithful suffering of Paul and Silas.
God's mission doesn't pause when we're hurting. He's using it to shape us and to reveal Himself through us, even in the places we don't want to choose.
When you suffer, remember:
God is with you.
God is working in you.
God is speaking through you.
And the glory to come far outweighs the pain of the present.
Sermon Link: Submit To Suffering
Suffering is something that all of us experience, but it's something many of us would rather avoid or pretend isn't happening. As followers of Jesus, we celebrate His love, His peace, and His joy — but we don't always know what to do with the suffering that comes with following Him.
The apostle Paul's journey in Acts reminds us of a truth that isn't easy, but is essential: the Christian life is joy and suffering simultaneously. In Acts 16, Paul and Silas demonstrate that suffering doesn't silence the mission of God. Instead, it often becomes the very place where God's power is most clearly seen.
I encourage all of us to do something that sounds strange at first: Submit To Suffering. Not to chase it, not to fear it, but to trust God through it — because He's with us in it.
How To Respond When You're Suffering
- Acts 16:25-26
1. Prepare For Suffering
We can't wait until hardship hits to decide who we trust. Prayer and scripture shape us so that when suffering comes, and Scripture promises it will (2 Timothy 3:12), our response is steadied by God rather than shaken by fear.
2. Acknowledge Your Suffering
You don't have to pretend everything is ok, even as a Christian. The book of Psalms shows us that it's biblical and healthy to be honest with God. Strength isn't displayed by ignoring your suffering. That makes you vulnerable. However, acknowledgment opens the door to transformation.
3. Rejoice In And Because Of Your Suffering
This doesn't mean to enjoy your pain but instead means seeing purpose. Suffering can be seen as a gift (Philippians 1:29) because God uses it to produce perseverance, maturity, and a testimony that can help others.
Your suffering glorifies God, and becomes a story that can strengthen someone else.
How To Respond When Others Are Suffering
- Acts 16:27-34
1. Pray For Them
Praying for others is one of the greatest acts of love. When words fail, prayer stands in the gap.
2. Don't Minimize Their Suffering
Everyone carries their burdens differently. Instead of comparing timelines or diminishing their pain, we are called to listen and care.
3. Remind Them Of Truth
When the jailer cried out, "What must I do to be saved?" Paul and Silas reminded him of the hope and love of Jesus. When we speak to others out of our own sufferings and stories, our words carry weight.
Sometimes God delivers you from suffering so He can use you to deliver someone else.
How To Respond To Jesus' Suffering
Jesus suffered physically (beaten, whipped, crowned with thorns, pierced, mocked, and hung to die.) But His greatest suffering wasn't physical. It was being forsaken by the Father (Mark 15:34).
The worst pain in existence is separation from God — and Jesus took that pain for us. Because of His suffering:
- we are never forsaken
- we are never abandoned
- we are never alone
"For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross." (Hebrews 12:2)
And for the joy set before us, we endure our suffering. (Romans 8:18)
Suffering Doesn't Stop The Mission — It Strengthens It
Acts 16 ends with joy, breakthrough, baptism, and the transformation of an entire household. The story began in prison, and ended in praise.
God advanced the Gospel through the willing and faithful suffering of Paul and Silas.
God's mission doesn't pause when we're hurting. He's using it to shape us and to reveal Himself through us, even in the places we don't want to choose.
When you suffer, remember:
God is with you.
God is working in you.
God is speaking through you.
And the glory to come far outweighs the pain of the present.
Posted in Sermon Reflections, Spiritual Formation
Posted in Acts 16, Paul, suffering, trials, encouragement
Posted in Acts 16, Paul, suffering, trials, encouragement