“Endure suffering as discipline: God is dealing with you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline?” (Hebrews 12:7)
“Look at Jesus!” the author of Hebrews says again. But this time when we fix our eyes on Jesus, what should we consider?
That suffering is a sign of sonship.
It is an uncomfortable truth that every Christian will suffer. We should expect it. For we follow the Son of God, the Savior and King who not only faced hostility and even deep scourging, but he also died on the cross on our behalf. From that, we should consider what it might mean for us to follow him. Even though as Christians, we are not all martyrs who shed blood (v. 4), we all must resist sin and struggle against our sinful nature – that vile sin that weighs us down from flying to heaven!
When we continue in this race, our suffering and our struggling against sin are signs of God’s love for us. Here’s the thing: God is not only the Author of our salvation, but He is also the Author of our discipline. Our trials are permitted by Him, as we see in the story of Job.
When we suffer, we might be tempted to think we are not loved. That could not be further from the truth: “for the Lord disciplines the one he loves and punishes every son he receives.” (v. 6) You are beloved by God, when you suffer!
Although we do not always understand why the suffering seems to go on, we can trust in God, and that He is good. Your heavenly Father loves His children, and He has a purpose behind the suffering. Moreover, He has promised a way out of temptation (1 Cor. 10:13), and His grace is sufficient for you.
We are not stoics, never showing any emotion! We weep with those who weep, rejoice with those who rejoice. With that in mind, please take this with you:
- Do not take suffering lightly (v. 5).
- God has a purpose: Psalm 119:67 says, “Before I was afflicted I went astray.”
- Endure suffering as discipline… as sons (v. 7). We endure in suffering by bearing each others’ burdens as a community and learn from God together.
- Be hopeful. This trial you are facing will be brief in light of eternity, but the fruit will be blessed and eternal. (Rom. 8:18; 2 Cor. 4:17).