We all know what it feels like to suffer. Suffering leaves no one unscathed in this life. Those who suffer most know more deeply that feeling. Suffering is something we all naturally try to avoid. The instinct to avoid suffering is almost as natural as breathing. We are designed by God for joy and pleasure, but in a fallen and broken world, we face the sting of pain. Since we all have a deep-seated antipathy to suffering, most people find it surprising to learn that suffering is actually a gift from God. How can that be? What good can suffering actually do? The Bible tells us in Philippians 1:29 that suffering is a gift from God almost on the level of salvation. In that verse, we read, “For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ that you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake.” This is the third of six articles exploring the astonishing but necessary gift of suffering. This installment will look at the biblical teaching that suffering produces humility.
Previous Articles in Series: The Gift of Suffering I – The Gift of Suffering II
Humility is a character quality that feels no need to exalt itself. When a humble person looks in the mirror, they see no one special. In this way, humility is self-respect joined to respect for others. Humility takes seriously the image of God in all persons. Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less. Humility is one of the central character traits of a follower of Jesus. Jesus was the most humble person who ever lived, yet he had more reasons than anyone to be proud. Pride is a deep-seated flaw we all possess. Our hearts are deceitful and bent in on themselves. Because pride is so deep in our hearts and is a root for so many sins, humility is a difficult but necessary virtue to truly possess. There is a false humility that is actually pride masquerading as humility. Because true humility is so hard to develop and is so necessary for life, God gives us much-needed help in the form of suffering. Suffering can uniquely humble us and help us see life and ourselves according to the truth.
In 2 Corinthians 12, we find the apostle Paul reeling from some kind of intense suffering. He called it a thorn in the flesh. He wanted this suffering gone so bad that he asked the Lord three times to take it away, but to no avail. Finally, the answer came to him, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness’’’ (2 Corinthians 12:9). Suffering humbles us so that we can see the grace of God even in pain. After this word of encouragement came to him, Paul knew that his “thorn in the flesh” was a gift, grace, from God to keep him humble. The great spiritual achievements of Paul could easily make him proud. God wanted the focus to be on His power and grace in Paul’s life.
So it is in our lives. Pride can very quickly inhabit our hearts. It is so subtle that we hardly recognize it for what it is. Pride is a focus on self; God wants our focus to be on Him and others. That’s why God, in His grace, gives us the gift of suffering at just the right time. It is a bitter experience but bears sweet fruit. But for suffering actually to produce the humility we need, we must respond to the pain of suffering in an appropriate way. That way is first to see it for what it is. God has a purpose in our pain. We would rather it not be there, but God is up to something for our good. Once we understand the suffering, secondly, we must actively trust God with it. We know that God is wise, good, and in control of our lives. We can trust him. We walk by faith, not by sight. And then, thirdly, as we’re trusting God with the situation, we can ask Him what pride is lurking in our hearts that He needs to root out and replace with humility for His glory.
The gospel teaches us that the way of weakness in suffering is the way of power in the plan of God. As suffering smooths off the rough edges of our character and makes us more humble, we are being transformed into the image of Jesus Christ. In this, God is glorified, and we are blessed with joy and peace knowing that our lives are making a difference.