Suffer with Jesus or Suffer without Him

Suffering is a part of our broken world. There’s evil, temptation, trials, persecution and consequences to our actions. Jesus hasn’t asked us to endure anything He didn’t endure while on earth. Your view of suffering will determine your view of God.

All of the above is a paraphrase of what my pastor spoke yesterday. He said, “You have two choices. Suffer with Jesus or suffer without Him.” And I vividly remembered times in my life when I’ve suffered with Jesus and when I’ve suffered without Him.

I’ve not always been sold out. I’ve had questions, doubts, and even moments of questioning God’s goodness. I’ve asked “Why?” I haven’t always made the right decisions or done the right thing.

But it was in my suffering that God wrapped His arms around me and comforted me in a supernatural way. He gave me rest when I was weary, peace when I was completely unnerved and joy when I felt deep despair.

The relationship I have with God is not because my Momma told me to. Or because I was raised in church. It’s not some willy nilly emotional or religious experience I’ve had. It’s because the Holy Spirit is tangible.

As I’ve personally studied the Bible for years, I can’t help but believe. And because I’ve gone through hard things—some of which I’ve never spoken—God made Himself known to me in a way that was bigger than my trial.

It’s the reason I’m so passionate about sharing His goodness with others. It probably annoys some. They probably think I’m a weirdo. But when you’ve found the answer, it’s hard not to share with those you love. And I love all of y’all.

In the words of my pastor, who was once an atheist, “We are all going to suffer. You have two choices. Suffer with Jesus or suffer without Him.”

(This graphic is something I put together from my pastor’s sermon notes) We Are Chapel