Blessings of suffering? Is there such a thing? Yes, there is!
1. Suffering is for our salvation and the salvation of others.
Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation. 2 Corinthians 1:6-7
Jesus had to suffer on the cross. If we’re going to follow Him, we’re going to have a cross to bear too (Luke 9:23).
2. Suffering makes heaven more valuable. Just think…
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. Revelation 21:4
How many of us are happy with our current, comfortable lives? When we experience suffering, it helps us to long for heaven.
3. Suffering improves us and makes us grow.
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2-4
Pruning of the fruit trees might be painful, but it produces better fruit. We can know that God will never give us more than we can bear (1 Cor. 10:13), but uses the trials and hardships of this life to refine us, make us stronger, enhance our relationship with Him, and rid us of the dross of the world.
4. Suffering teaches us obedience. Even Jesus learned through suffering!
Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him…. Hebrews 5:8-9
Suffering can be an alarm that we are at odds with the law of God. Trials and obstacles are God’s chosen methods of discipline.
5. Suffering brings us many blessings.
As the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:5
Just think of the many people in history whose suffering became a blessing to them–Paul, Martin Luther, John Bunyan, Beethoven, Fanny Crosby, and so on. God’s grace is sufficient for us; His strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Cor. 12:9). When the miseries of life overtake us, may we trust God entirely, that we may live with Him eternally.
Sarah E. Brown 