Suffering and Friendship: Focusing on the Bigger Picture

Based on Philippians 1:12-30

About six months into our daughter’s cancer journey, our pastor asked if I would speak to the church. He specifically hoped I could encourage the body of Christ by helping them see how God was providing for us and meeting our needs. As I took my place at the microphone my legs were shaking so badly I could barely stand. I was nervous. I was emotional. And I really wanted to sit back down and not speak in front of the crowd.

But the Lord spoke to my heart in that moment saying, “You aren’t speaking to draw attention to yourself – this isn’t even your story, it’s my story. Amongst other things, your suffering is for my glory and for the building up of their faith. This feels overwhelming to you, but it’s a small part of my much bigger plan. And you will be blessed for your obedience through this.”

I don’t know if that message sounds encouraging to you, but it was to me. It didn’t make my legs stop shaking, but it gave me the strength to push through the nerves. It was helpful for me to remember that it wasn’t about me.

In Philippians, Paul talks about this same idea – of our suffering being for a bigger purpose. He encourages his friends by reminding them that:

1. Suffering advances the gospel to others, and
2. Suffering leads to our own deliverance.  

In Paul’s case, the prevailing assumption by his friends was that having him stuck in prison meant that his ministry was on pause. Yet, in Philippians 1:12-13 Paul says that it is precisely because he is “stuck” in this unpleasant place, that the gospel has actually gone out to the entire imperial guard. And that as other believers have seen him continue to share hope with others, their faith has been strengthened, and they became more bold in sharing the good news of Jesus.

Paul was reminding his friends that sometimes we need to zoom out and ask God to help us see the bigger picture. If Paul focused on his day to day trials, it would seem quite bleak. But when he thinks about the bigger story being written, he can see how his hardships are actually leading to more people hearing and believing the amazing news of Jesus.

Maybe your suffering has you stuck somewhere too… and maybe it feels hopeless, and overwhelming and pointless. But when we remember that our suffering is part of a larger plan, it can encourage us to ask the Lord how he wants to use us in these difficult spaces.

As you choose to cling to the Lord and grieve with hope, others around you will also be encouraged to look to Jesus for their comfort and strength. You never know who your faith might encourage… but I bet you’ve got friends watching closely… and I know the Lord delights in using your faith to advance the gospel to your friends.

But suffering isn’t only for those around us, it also leads to our own deliverance. In Philippians 1:18b-19 Paul says, “Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance…”

I’ll be honest that I wrestled with what he meant here. It’s not clear in the text if by “deliverance” he meant God would rescue him from his present suffering (get him out of prison), or if it meant God would bring him to Christ through death. Paul talks about both of those things in the following verses. So I did some digging and learned that the word “deliverance” here is the Greek word “soteria” which can mean either one!

“Soteria” can mean rescue from physical danger (his release from prison), or the safety of one’s soul in the sense of eternal salvation (his death and unification with Christ).

Commentaries are divided on which one of these Paul meant, and many believe that Paul was intentionally doing a play on words. Paul didn’t know if God was going to physically rescue him, but echoing Daniel’s friends, Paul is making an “even if” declaration. No matter what God chooses for Paul’s outcome, Paul trusted God’s good character and good plan.

What an amazing message of hope to send to your friends! Even as he walked through suffering, he held on to his faith in our amazing God. Paul knew that his life was in God’s hands, and would be used for God’s purposes. He delighted in being used by the Lord, regardless of what hardships he would have to endure.

In your sufferings, do you see how God might want to use your story to bring hope to your friends? It’s ok if your answer is “no”. This is the work of the Holy Spirit in us and not something we can do in our own power.

I encourage you this week to join me in being honest with God about your sufferings, invite a friend to pray for you, and ask him to give you a bigger perspective of your difficult season. The Lord is already at work in you – and he will keep on working!

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