Scripture presents suffering as fulfilling at least six separate purposes.
(1) In the case of the Egyptians, first of all, it is inflicted as punishment for sin — the oppression of Israel.
(2) In the history of David, we read that before he was afflicted, he went astray; through suffering (chastising) he learned to be obedient to the Word of God.
(3) In Job is found the record of God’s loving-kindness in His dealings with the patient patriarch even from his earliest days, and yet Job is brought to confess, in spite of all that God had been to him, “I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” His deliverance from himself is at length accomplished through his sufferings, and even more abundant blessing marks the close of his history.
(4) In telling about a remarkable experience in his life, the Apostle Paul tells us, with unmistakable plainness, that the thorn in the flesh was sent for the express purpose of preventing self-exaltation, and thus suffering wrought in the prevention of sin.
Suffering As a Gift
(6) Finally, in some incidents in the life of the Philippians, we find suffering in the character of a divine gift or privilege. Christ’s mystic body, like her all-glorious Head, is destined to suffering on earth preparatory to the everlasting reign of the Lord’s Anointed, and so she suffers in those of her members endowed with the gracious gift.
Among the many good and perfect gifts bestowed by the bounty of our liberal giving God, this is the one less frequently imparted, perhaps, than all others, for though it be morally best of all, who covets this gift earnestly? There are few who can exercise it to the great Giver’s worthy praise. It is not the eloquent and persuasive tongue that convinces the conscience and touches the heart, which brings repentant sinners in living faith to God, and then builds them up in their most holy faith. It is not the out-breathing of the poetic soul in fine eloquence kindling earnest thought into energetic action. It is not the mysterious power in the great organizers of victory, that leads warrior hosts to heroic deeds of self-sacrifice, nor is it any other gift or might that wins worldwide renown and amplitude of fortune. No, indeed, it is none of these gifts, nor anything in the least degree resembling any of them, for they, upon whom the heavenly boon referred to is bestowed, get none of the rewards men love to lavish upon those whom they delight to honor.
But the sufferers for His dear sake, though their sufferings and themselves be alike unknown to their fellows, have already His approving smile consciously, and in due time they shall have His great reward—His who trod so valiantly the path they now pursue. To all such is written, “Unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake.” Yea, “if we suffer, we shall also reign with Him.” The gracious gift of suffering is as distinct and specific a gift as that of healing or of tongues or any other of God’s natural gifts that win honor and renown as well as more substantial rewards. But this gift transforms the blessed recipient more surely perhaps than all the others into resemblance to Himself and is, for this fellowship, the highest, greatest, noblest of them all.
Bible Treasury, N5:348, adapted