A follower in Kenya (whose English is far better than my Swahili) wrote: “Please sir we want you to share us your opinion about this? Why Christian suffers even after born again??”
Well, the short answer is that we still live in a fallen world. But there’s more to it than that, our suffering actually helps us develop as disciples. Look at James 1:2–4 (NLT):
“2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”
Romans 5:3–4 (NLT): “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.”
But there’s even more. The suffering we go through makes us better able to minister to others! Look at 2 Corinthians 1:3–5 (NLT):
“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 5 For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ.”
The Bible makes it clear that this world is not our home. Hebrews 11:13 tells us we shouldn’t expect everything to be great on earth: “13 All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth.”
But our time on this world is very brief compared to the glorious eternity in Heaven we will have:
1 Peter 1:6–7 (NLT): “6 So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. 7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.”
So what do we do when we encounter suffering? Be joyful, because God is developing us as disciples, and making us better able to help others. But most importantly, James 5:13 (NLT): “13 Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray.”
When we call on Him, God’s Holy Sprit will be our Comforter.
Thoughts Along the Way 