What forms might our sufferings as Christians take? What might we need to prepare ourselves for?

SOME SUFFERING IS NEVER EXPLAINED. When this is the case, we must give it to Jesus and trust him. It doesn't help to go over and over it, time and time again, seeking to understand it. A dear friend of mine was burned to death shortly into his ministry as a missionary in Borneo, leaving behind a pregnant wife. His mother, an amazing woman of God cried out "Why Lord?" Someone actually rebuked her for this, but she replied: "Even Jesus asked why!" "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

"King Herod Agrippa began to persecute some believers in the church. He had the apostle James killed with the sword … he also arrested Peter … [who said to himself after a miraculous delivery] "The Lord has sent his angel and saved me from Herod" (Acts 12:1-19). James, as well as Peter, was one of the three closest friends of Jesus. A huge amount of time was invested in him. He was killed but Peter was miraculously saved. Why?

SUFFERING CAN BE UNSELFISH, GRACE-FILLED & GOD GLORIFYING. "When Jesus [from the cross] saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved [John], he said to her, 'Dear woman, here is your son.' And he said to this disciple, 'Here is your mother.' And from then on this disciple took her into his home" (Jn 19:28). Jesus loved them both and provided for his mother; entrusting her long-term care to John. This restricted him to Jerusalem, so he was unable to fully participate in the worldwide spread of the Gospel; his dream and dearest wish.

SUFFERING CAN BE A GODLY DISPLAY OF HUMAN WEAKNESS. Paul wrote: "Three times I begged the Lord to take it away [his thorn in the flesh]. Each time he said: 'My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness'" (2Co 12:8). Paul wrote to Timothy: "Don't drink only water. You ought to drink a little wine for the sake of your stomach because you are sick so often" (1Tm 5:23). Not: "don't take medication; believe God for healing", but "make use of the help available to you".

SUFFERING CAN SPECIFICALLY BE THE CENTRE OF GOD'S WILL FOR US. Jesus cried out in Gethsemane: "My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done not mine" (Mt 26:39). He knew he had come to die. He knew he had to embrace the cross. But in a breathtakingly vulnerable way he displayed the wonder of his humanity; of the incarnation. What a Saviour!

Many of those who have profoundly blessed and encouraged me the most have been those who have gone through some pretty awful suffering, yet whose faith, gracious and loving demeanour and care for the needs of others, have brought great joy and blessing to many.