Do the Believers Go through Sufferings, Too?
(Rom. 8:28)

As we live our lives in this world, we face various sufferings. There are some people who say that people do not face sufferings when believing in Jesus. However, we quickly know it is not true when we face the reality. Sufferings come to the believers of Jesus. People who believe in Jesus do not succumb to and kneel down before sufferings, but live by overcoming them. This is because the love and grace of Jesus who died on the cross carrying our sins is always with us.

1. Sufferings which Jesus also had
1) Jesus, the Son of God, went through all sufferings faced by human beings. (Matt. 4:1~10)
2) A squall that suddenly hit the Sea of Galilee threatened the boat that had Jesus and disciples aboard. However, Jesus slept in the stern of the boat in the midst of the storm. (Mark 4:35~38)
3) The disciples facing the squall woke up Jesus who was sleeping. Jesus woke up and rebuked the wind and the waves. Then, the wind stopped blowing and it was completely calm. (Mark 4:38~39)
4) Jesus faced the storm. He had authority to control the storm. (Mark 4:41)

2. Grace of the cross overcoming sufferings
1) The believers of Jesus also face sufferings. However, if they rely on the grace of the cross of Golgotha, they can govern every difficult circumstance with faith. (Heb. 2:18)
2) Jesus took away all our problems of sins, transgressions, diseases, curses, and death. Therefore, if we rely on the Lord, we are more than conquerors when it comes to every problem. (James 5:13)
3) If we move forward with positive thoughts, clear dreams, unwavering faith, and creative declarations of words, the Holy Spirit governs all our problems. (1 Peter 4:12~13)

3. Identity of the believer in whom Jesus dwells
1) Even though we are only jars of clay, we have Jesus in us. (2 Cor. 4:7~11)
2) Sufferings of this land cannot even be compared with glory that we will receive in the future. Therefore, even if we face difficult and hard situations, we should not be discouraged. (2 Cor. 4:16~18)

Conclusion
Sufferings are not simply enemies that bother us, but are means used by the Lord to educate us. Sufferings allowed by God break us to live a life of obedience and make our faith to grow more. Therefore, when sufferings come, do not be discouraged or fall in despair. Look to the grace of Jesus’ cross and pray earnestly by going before God. Then, our faith will grow more and God will receive glory through us.