Suffering “For Christ” in Random Trials

“Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God. For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.” – Philippians 1:27-29

Suffering for Christ has a somewhat romantic sound to it, doesn’t it? The New Testament is peppered with persecution for Christ, and it’s actually inspiring. The disciples in Acts “went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name.” (Acts 5:41) Peter reminds early Christians that “to the degree that you share in the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing...” (1 Peter 4:13), and that “if you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed” (1 Peter 4:14). I read the stories of these and other true martyrs, and I’m ready to jump up and move across the world, just so I can suffer for the Name. (I’m a little bit of an idealistic visionary, so jumping to an extreme is normal for me…)

Instead of moving across the world to suffer for the sake of suffering, I’m staying put in the United States of America, where I’ve never been persecuted for my beliefs. I’m driving to an obvious church building on Sunday and worshiping in safety. I know that I’m not guaranteed continued freedom and safety. I’m ok with that. If the time ever comes for me to suffer for Christ, I want to welcome the opportunity to be like Him in His suffering, to have His love and grace shine through me. Right now, though, I live in a free first world country, and my problems are “first world problems.” I’m not suffering “for Christ” in the truest sense of sharing His suffering by being tortured because of my faith.

Because I’m an idealistic visionary, patience with “random trials” is difficult. If I’m not suffering for such a noble thing as Christ, then what’s the point in suffering? Recent motor vehicular problems, a conversation with a good friend about trials, and other problems in the lives of other friends prompted some of the following thoughts. What if “random trials” aren’t so random? What if there is a “for Christ” component to everyday, run-of-the-mill, middle class, American suffering? That’s a game changer. That’s something that’s worth suffering for. Consider this passage from the epistle written by a man named James:

“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” – James 1:2-4

“Various trials.” I’m not completely certain what James meant by that phrase. Maybe he was talking about persecution for Christ; certainly that is one kind of trial. At least, as far as my NASB translates it though, he said “various trials.” Potentially, that covers a lot of ground. I’m entertaining the thought today that “various trials” includes my ‘first world problem’ style of trials. Trials produce results – endurance, perfect completion. I’d like to be perfect and complete, wouldn’t you?

Since Christ is perfect and complete, it makes sense to me that my random trials will make me like Him. Since that’s the goal, there is good in my random trials. All though not speaking of trials, Paul highlights the value of “growing up into Christ” here:

“And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.” – Ephesians 4:11-13

If “random trials” can make me like Christ, my response to them boils down to what I value. Do I value the freedom of having my own car to drive where I want to go, or do I value the relationship that my husband and I can build by sharing a car and depending on each other? Do I value independence, or do I value an unwavering trust in the Lord? When I value the perfection He wants to bring to me through random, maybe even petty, trials, there is no such thing as a bad outcome.

So then, I will rejoice even in my small trials. I will allow Christ to use them to make me like Him, perfect and complete. If persecution comes, I will allow Christ to make my like Him in that kind of suffering. For now, though, I will welcome the random, “first world” trials, fixing my eyes upward until He calls me home, finalizing and fixing my sanctification forever.