What do we need to train for? As fall begins, we see high school and college students on football fields, diligently preparing for upcoming games. News reports highlight the progress of training camps for professional athletes, and this year so many who trained for years competed on the world stage at the Olympics. But fall is also a time when young people begin training for life itself. Nervous freshmen gather in the halls of colleges and universities, embarking on a journey to equip themselves for success. This training aims to prepare them for the inevitable curveballs life throws their way. Many of these students have yet to face significant challenges. They might have experienced the end of a high school relationship or their parents' separation, but our culture often shields them or distracts them in these difficult times.
The church, in many ways, has also adopted this approach to dealing with difficulty. As “good Christians”, we don't deny God's sovereignty or his love out loud, but we often fail to deeply explore what his sovereignty means for us in times of trouble. We struggle to fully grasp what it means to have a God with all his attributes, especially when chaos surrounds us. A common definition of suffering is the state of undergoing pain, distress, or hardship. Jesus tells us in John 16:33, "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."
For all the training we undertake in life, how much time do we spend training for suffering? This might seem like an odd question, but there is so much to be learned while suffering. Personally, I have discovered the most profound insights about God through my moments of suffering. This makes me wonder: If I had been prepared to suffer, would I have learned even more? Would God have been more evident and comforting to me?
Consider the football player who, early in August, is out on the field learning or being refreshed on the fundamentals. The player who doesn't have proper training struggles through the game, poorly attempting to compete. The well-practiced player will play much more efficiently. In truth, the training may even help him eliminate some of the physical suffering the game causes. Similarly, a young businessperson who invests time and effort—perhaps even endures some hardship—to learn their field of business will be far ahead of their peers because of their preparation in the classroom. Think about your own experiences. Have you trained for something in life? Has that training benefited you and equipped you to face the trials?
How much more training do you need for your spiritual life? Is there a way to prepare for the suffering that will inevitably come? James 1:2-4 says, "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." Just as a football player studies their opponent's game film and scouting report, or a business student examines past financial crises and varying market conditions to anticipate future responses, we too must study and prepare for spiritual challenges. Training for suffering in our spiritual lives means studying God's Word, learning from biblical testimonies, and developing a steadfast faith that can endure the trials we will inevitably face.
As Christians, we face a much broader and more profound playing field than the examples of sports or business. Taken to the extreme, the greatest issue we face in our human existence is death, both the future reality of our own last breath and the loss of those around us. Nothing breaks my heart more as a pastor than witnessing a family struggle with fragile theology as they meet with the funeral director or sit in the waiting room after receiving bad news from a doctor. In our world, we will encounter realities that cut us to the soul, perhaps not always as extreme as death, but still suffering nonetheless. Most often, suffering comes in ways we cannot foresee or prepare for.
Imagine the football player showing up to the big game having never practiced or trained—it would be a real problem. Yet, in our spiritual lives, we often face trials and suffering with little to no preparation. By the grace of God, we get through the trial, but we're left just as unprepared for future challenges. By not preparing, we weren't ready, so then we become overly exhausted, making it harder to prepare for the next trial because we need extra time to recover. This does not have to be the case. What foundational truths would be helpful to understand before stepping into the funeral home, before the diagnosis is given, or before you meet trials of various kinds?
This is where training comes in. The Old Testament offers story after story of people living without basic needs, such as food and water, or the threat of being killed by an opposing force or disease. These stories display the way our God is loving, sovereign, and how he faithfully interacts with those who are suffering. This knowledge of God and his character are what we need to have ready for the trials ahead. Although circumstances may differ, they share the same underlying themes as our modern issues: fears, struggles, and anxieties. We also share the knowledge that in these circumstances, the same God is present. Consider this—these people in the Bible were afraid, and God was faithful. They saw death and destruction around them, and God remained sovereign. God was working out a larger plan. In the Old Testament, the greater plan was the protection of His Seed until the day of His revelation in the New Testament. He was doing something regarding His plan and holiness that the Israelites did not know or understand. It can be hard to imagine, in our suffering, the amount of work that God is capable of doing in our lives and the lives of those around us.
In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he writes, "Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me." (Phil. 4:11-13) Paul learned to be content in every situation, learning the secret of facing both abundance and need is Jesus. In his book Enjoying God, Tim Chester writes this about suffering: "God uses the hardships of our lives to transform us into the image of his Son so that the Son might have many siblings sharing his experience of being loved by the Father.” This reality isn’t revealed only in the midst of a battle; it is a life-shaping truth that can be learned and built on well before the battle begins.
While well-meaning Christians may assume this means “God won’t give you more than you can handle,” the very opposite is true. God does give us more than we can handle because we’re not alone in this. Colin Mattoon states in his article, “I propose we cease saying, ‘God won’t give you more than you can handle,’ and begin to encourage people by saying, ‘God will give you all the grace you need in every situation you face.’” The point in suffering is that it draws us closer to God, and we can have this relationship as we prepare for future suffering and in the middle of present suffering.
As we navigate being brought low or spurred on to abound, it’s crucial to remember that preparing for suffering is more important than any other form of training. Just as athletes and professionals rigorously prepare, we must spiritually prepare for the trials we will face. Training for suffering involves grounding ourselves in the unwavering truths of God’s character, reflecting on his faithfulness throughout history, and building spiritual resilience through consistent preparation. By doing so, we equip ourselves not only to endure but even with the potential to thrive, glorifying God as we find the strength and peace that come from our faith. May we all embrace this preparation with diligence, so that when trials come, we are ready to face them with steadfast and unwavering faith.
I pray this article finds you in a great season of life. Even in the good times, are you out on the field, preparing for what lies ahead? Are you actively engaged in learning deep truths about God that will help you withstand future challenges? Are you praying in a way that highlights your dependence and anticipation of God acting in your best interest by displaying his glory through whatever means he sees fit? Is your trust in God growing?
These words from Paul to the Roman churches are a sweet reminder of the foundation we have as we train for future suffering: “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Rom. 15:4-6)
If you would like to explore the topic of suffering well to a greater extent, here are a few recommended resources: