When we think about God’s promises, we tend to focus on the blessings: forgiveness, mercy, and eternal life, to name a few. But Jesus promised us something else as well: “You will have suffering in this world” (John 16:33). Read that again. That’s not You might or You may or You could. It’s You will. As sure as death and taxes and God’s love for sinners, we will suffer—Jesus guarantees it.
For many people, God and suffering are not compatible. If God exists, they reason, then there should be no suffering, for how could a good God allow it? But the true God is no stranger to pain. The Son allowed His body to be tormented and twisted by the most gruesome torture device of the ancient world, the cross. And He did so to put an end to the world’s suffering, once and for all. In the same breath that He promised us suffering, He made another promise, one so sure that it was spoken in the past tense: “I have conquered the world” (John 16:33).
Sin has so wormed itself in and through this world that we cannot avoid suffering entirely. It would be like trying to avoid sand at the beach. But we also suffer in a special way as Christ’s followers. We suffer because He suffered first. And when we endure this life and all it can throw at us, the same way He did, we display our faith that Christ has indeed conquered the world. For “if we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him” (2Timothy 2:11–12).
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59 thoughts on "You Will Have Suffering in This World"
Reading Gods word today brought me to tears. Jesus thank you that you have overcome the world. Sometimes the trials and discouragements of suffering can feel so raw that the joy and peace and freedom of the kingdom feels obscured. But that’s not truth. The truth is that Jesus has won the victory and In my heart knowing that Jesus choose suffering for my sake I am so thankful. Amen to the most loving, powerful and compassionate saviour who knows the very pain we go through and has made hope possible. Thank you Jesus that you speak truth and don’t water down the truth of suffering but tackle it and have victory over it. Jesus is Lord.
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.” – John 16:33
Wow! What an amazing Father we serve! What I love to think about most when it comes to Jesus, is that nothing I am feeling is foreign to him. He came to this Earth as a human being. He laughed and he cried. He experienced great joy and he suffered. When faced with life’s challenges, I know He understands what I’m going through. He is so relatable yet so amazing! I can cling to Him in the hardest of times knowing that through his ultimate sacrifice, he has overcome the world. What should I fear, then? I can find my peace in that. I am not alone.
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.” – John 16:33
Wow! What an amazing Father we serve! What I love to think about most when it comes to Jesus, is that nothing I am feeling is foreign to him. He came to this Earth as a human being. He laughed and he cried. He experienced great joy and he suffered. When faced with life’s challenges, I know He understands what I’m going through. He is so relatable yet so amazing! I can cling to Him in the hardest of times knowing that through his ultimate sacrifice, he has overcome the world. I can find my
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.” – John 16:33
In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. – John 16:23
This is a great word. We don’t like to think of suffering as part of life but I love that even in the middle of the suffering God promises, he also promises to not leave us, but will guide and be with us!
This is a great word. It’s good to understand that we can do all things through Christ. I can endure sickness, I can endure loss of wages, I can endure my dad being wrongfully imprisoned, I can do ALL this with a promise of supernatural Joy. Thank you Lord. Until we meet one day, give me strength to lean into your arms through the suffering.
Outwardly we may be wasting away but inwardly we are becoming more like Christ
So thankful that even in the midst of suffering the Lord promises to give us the strength to endure.
Thank you Jesus that we are NEVER alone in our sufferings. Thank you that while suffering can be very very hard, you can use it for your glory to draw us closer to you and grow in us dependence, trust, and obedience. Thank you that when we look back on our lives that the darkest times are also when we felt closest to You or felt your presence strongly. I pray for those who are suffering, internally and externally, that you would extend your peace that surpasses all understanding and mercy. Thank you for loving us so much that you shared in our suffering – much more than many of us will every have to physically experience to secure our place with YOU in Heaven when all will be made perfect and suffering will be no more! We love you. Amen <3
Dorothy, I am so so very sorry for your families troubles.
Loss is a journey we have to go through. A journey that, although we have others around us, we each go through, in our own way..
Oh my Dorothy, my heart hearts, for your sister,for you..for this journey you are on.. there are no words
But God…
Holding you and yours up in prayer, to know His loving arms, comfort, peace, wisdom and grace at this very sad and difficult time..
Love wrapped hugs coming your way. ❤
Before I began to read the devotional this morning, I looked at the heading and in my head said… how can that be a promise???
A promise is something good, something worthwhile, something that is going to make/change your life for the better, right?
Then I read the first paragraph…
I have heard that line of scripture often, but hadn’t put it into perspective if you like, I hadn’t joined the dots on what it actually fully meant…
Until my own first real ‘suffering in this world’, I would have, and clearly did step over this ‘promise’ because it didnt affect me, others suffered, others went through the trauma, the pain, the hurt, the breaking of heart, the struggles… until I came face to face with ‘suffering in this world’, I could not see those words were for me. I am not saying I did not have hardships, or hurt of heart, or worries, Dear God, no, what I am saying is until my heart breaking, body, mind and soul breaking, life forever changed, ‘suffering in this world’, I had not connected the dots. I had not connected the dots to God.. or a relationship with Him..
But God..
Oh but God..
He has ‘used’ ‘my suffering in this world’, to grow me, to guide me, to show me, 1) that I am not alone, never have been, never will be.
2)Though I was totally broken, and in my mind , at a point where life, especially mine, meant nothing, had nothing to live for, He was close.. and still is.
3)I needed to be where i was in my heart to know Him and His presence..
4)suffering didnt go away, But with God, there is an ease..
Suffering in this world, happens..
But God… He is right there. The fact that Jesus has overcome the world, means that we do not suffer alone.. NEVER.
Amen.
Sending love and hugs.. ❤
“I have conquered the world” Amen, amen! Praise God for that truth
With all JESUS suffered alone He is with us and will help us through our suffering if we let Him.
It was nice to read this today. I’m having an extremely hard day with my teen daughter. I found some things that talked about Satan among other things. She doesn’t know I found anything. I have to wait to talk to my husband tonight but my heart is hurting today. And I feel physically sick. Just reading some of the things she said . Today’s reading brought a little bit of comfort.
Thank you Tina ❤️
God is reminding me today that i can’t expect perfection from this world. Perfection will come when I get to heaven. In this world there will be uncertainty, sickness, death, and heartache. There will also be celebrations, happiness, and triumphs. In this world we must take the good with the bad, the hard times make the good times so much sweeter.
I found this so encouraging to read. I’ve never thought of life like that. I may not achieve all my life goals or ideals I’d envisaged for myself but in heaven all will be perfect ❤️
Laura. Thank you for your post. I too went through the same situation!! (Only mine was husband and a son) but through is the word!! With Christ!! Been over 30 years ago— the scars are still there, some cut deep, but Jesus!
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And I’m happy this gave us the insight to help those that are suffering and be grateful for the ability to suffer. Through the pain only the goodness of God comes.
(Sorry I accidentally sent my first post without finishing it)
I love reading about all of the “happy” promises: eternal life, hope, etc. but I also love the “not so happy” ones like this one: suffering. I know people ask the question a lot about “why is there suffering is there a God?”
Agreed. It’s so important to understand!
Two verses from today that helped me to think about suffering:
“A disciple is not above his teacher, or a slave above his master.” (Matthew 10:24)
Jesus suffered on my behalf. By his grace, I can glorify him in my suffering.
“A little while and you will no longer see me; again a little while and you will see me.” (John 16:16) Praying that this promise gives me strength to endure life’s trials and suffering. Jesus is coming. We will see him again soon!
OH Dorothy I am praying for you and your family and the pain you are experiencing right now.
Jenna, I hope you don’t mind if I pass your comments from yesterday Wednesday 5/6/2020 on to my sister. She received the death certificate and ashes for my niece but not all of her belongings — she will get them tomorrow — she thought she had told them to bring it all at the same time.
Wow I needed this today. Between what the scriptures and the devotional. Paul says in 2Timothy 2:9b “But the word of God cannot be chained.” Which really struck me and then Paul goes on to in verses 10 – 13 “10 So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen. 11 This is a trustworthy saying: If we die with him, we will also live with him. 12 If we endure hardship, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us. 13 If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is.” The devotional then says in it “But we also suffer in a special way as Christ’s followers. We suffer because He suffered first. And when we endure this life and all it can throw at us, the same way He did, we display our faith that Christ has indeed conquered the world.” This just really hit home today because my sister sent out an email last evening that she had received my niece’s death certificate but not all her belongings as I mentioned in my note to Jenna. Please pray for my sister, Carol, she is a CPA with her own business and has been having a hard time focusing and getting work done in the last month. She is afraid she will lose the clients she has. My SRT sisters, I know prayer works and I have great faith but right now Carol and I are struggling. I am having to pack and figure out mine and my niece’s and how to ask Carol if I might have a piece of furniture or two when I move. God bless you all.
God is with her and will see her through amen
I love John 16: 33b “you will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” God tells us we will sufferer but he also tells us that in him there is hope. I heard this on IF “God is more concerned about your eternal soul than you’re early life.” And Everytime a I’m going through suffering I try to remember that. I am promises suffering and pain in this world but when I’m in heaving with Jesus there will be no pain no worries no suffering. Today I’m holding on to that ❤️
I’m grateful that SRT is focusing today on the “harder” promises of our God. As indicated in the devotion, so many have a belief that suffering is incompatible with a good God. Even in the church, I have heard some deny the call to suffer as a Christian. Their focus is only on the promises we enjoy rather than the promises which are painful. Ironically, I have found that the more dangerous wolves are those who are in sheep’s clothing — that is professing Christians. Because of my many encounters with the prosperity gospel within the Christian circles I have been and am currently in, I am alert to Jesus’ warning to “beware”. In Matthew 7:15-23, he has already brought to us the warning to beware of false prophets and false disciples.
It’s pains my heart each time I hear professing Christians caught in the throes of deceit, being deceived and being deceivers. Yet, I have hope and I pray in that hope for the Lord to have mercy on many and snatch them from the fire.
Additionally, I am encouraged to strengthen my commitment to the Lord in regard to the many family members (including my husband and some siblings) who reject the whole counsel of God’s word and who Jesus truly is. They are walking in moralism or New Age/New Thought beliefs and have become angry with me when I ask questions in attempts to point them to the truths in the word of God. I hear the Lord telling me to keep proclaiming what he whispers to me in the dark. Oh how I pray to be a vessel of love to those who hate me, even those in my family, because I love Jesus more than these. It’s the only way to walk. Though no one is threatening to kill me at this point, I am willing to lose my life for his sake.
As someone who can be fainthearted in my flesh, I am so glad I can cast my fears and anxieties upon the Lord and he has promised to restore, confirm, strengthen and establish me. I’m grateful that these descriptions of overwhelming trials are for the fainthearted, of whom the Lord will encourage and grant courage as we run to him as our refuge!
Thank you for sharing, Diana. You have a beautiful testimony.❤️
These passages bring me such peace. I have had a continual struggle with my mother and her “meanness” towards me and my beliefs. it hurts my soul so much every time she attacks me again. and then a few years ago it started happening with our oldest son as well. but these past passages bring peace to my heart, knowing that he promised that in this world there would be suffering and that suffering includes separation from family. He also says that it’s important to not allow those relationships to rule my heart but to allow him to rule my heart. It doesn’t take away the sting but it does bring me peace.
I now can say I’ve been living for quite a while. I’m not a senior saint yet, but not too far from it. Maybe just a tad over a decade LOL. But I have to say that in my lifetime there’s been ups and downs. Joy. Suffering. The unknown. Many, many curveballs but then a lot of joy, and peace and wonderful memories. Through it all my Jesus remains the same. He remains faithful even when I am not. I wish I could say I have an all together, I mess up so much, sometimes it’s hard not to listen to the voice of the enemy telling me that I failed, but I “listen” for that still small voice reminding me, Jesus saying to me, “I love you.”
Amelia Rose–Congratulations on your high school completion! You write with the grace and voice of one much older than a senior in high school. Continue to find your peace, comfort, and strength in God as you make your way out into the world. During your times of doubt, confusion, and temptation, He alone will be there to guide and support you. Find your Bible mantra to aid you in your journey. Mine is Phil 4:13–“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”
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Jesus has overcome the world & Satan already, so anything that we encounter we can overcome through & with Him.
I love in Matthew 10:19-20, Jesus encourages us not to be anxious when we speak, “for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking THROUGH you.”
Encouraging to know that God doesn’t leave us to speak by our own word, but by His word!
Reading these verses, I am filled with a joyful reminder of God’s love. He wants us to give Him our lives and says that we are worth more than many sparrows. He desires intimacy and undivided worship. He will give His children the very best, even if that means trials, so I will be satisfied with the very best. “For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.” “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead and descended from David, according to my gospel, 9 for which I suffer to the point of being bound like a criminal. But the word of God is not bound. 10 This is why I endure all things for the elect: so that they also may obtain salvation, which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.” We have every good gift, we have Him. John 17:1-3. 1 Corinthians 1:6-9.
VICTORY in and through Jesus!
2 Corinthians 2:14_Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of His knowledge by us in every place.
I never felt like I really suffered in my life. Looking back, I did go through hard times, but I always powered through and never really thought about it too much. Then I was hit with a huge set-back – my husband’s affair, my daughter’s rebellion, on the brink of divorce. I felt so much hurt – and really did feel as though I was suffering – so much sadness. That was many years ago now, and I clung, really truly clung, with all my strength, with everything I had in me – to Jesus. Every day, my Bible, praying, listening to His voice, pouring out my heart, that was what got me through to the other side. Recently I heard the song “Scars” on the radio by I Am They. It really does describe how it feels to walk through a fire with The Lord, and be able to look back and thank Him for bringing you through, but also to be grateful, in a way, for the scars that are there. It is a good reminder that although we have suffering in this world, He is greater than anything we may go through. And having that experience, that scar, is a reminder of just how much He loves us and carries us through the darkest pain. Lyrics to this song are below:
Waking up to a new sunrise
Looking back from the other side
I can see now with open eyes
Darkest water and deepest pain
I wouldn’t trade it for anything
‘Cause my brokenness brought me to You
And these wounds are a story You’ll use
So I’m thankful for the scars
‘Cause without them I wouldn’t know Your heart
And I know they’ll always tell of who You are
So forever I am thankful for the scars
Now I’m standing in confidence
With the strength of Your faithfulness
And I’m not who I was before
No, I don’t have to fear anymore
So I’m thankful for the scars
‘Cause without them I wouldn’t know Your heart
And I know they’ll always tell of who You are
So forever I am thankful for the scars
I can see, I can see
How You delivered me
In Your hands, In Your feet
I found my victory
I can see, I can see
How You delivered me
In Your hands, In Your feet
I found my victory
I’m thankful for Your scars
‘Cause without them I wouldn’t know Your heart
And with my life I’ll tell of who You are
So forever I am thankful
I’m thankful for the scars
‘Cause without them I wouldn’t know Your heart
And I know they’ll always tell of who You are
So forever I am thankful for the scars
So forever I am thankful for the scars
Wow. That was beautiful and inspiring, Laura. Thank you for sharing your story and that song!
❤️❤️❤️
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The Scripture above where Paul talks about suffering for the Gospel and being bound like a prisoner reminded me of a sermon I recently heard. People get offended by Christians saying that Jesus is the only way. He made an analogy. What if a dying man was cured by this drug. He would run and tell everyone that had the disease about it, so they could be cured. We all have the disease of sin. We all sin and fall short of the Glory of God. Jesus is the cure! When you know the forgiveness, joy, relief that your sins are paid for and gone. sacrifice, and extravagant love of the Father and the Son, don’t you want to help others have that?!!! Of course there is the Great Commission: “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
Matthew 28:18-20 KJV
https://www.bible.com/1/mat.28.18-20.kjv. I’m paraphrasing the sermon, but Paul was compelled to share, may we be too.
Today is the National Day of Prayer.
I’m reminded of this Scripture: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 KJVhttps://www.bible.com/1/2ch.7.14.kjv. There were pastors that were asking people to stop and pray at 7:14 AM and PM each day based on that Scripture. They had started this prayer because of the virus. They didn’t just start this. Anyway, I just thought I would tell you all about that. On another note, we are called to pray for our leaders. Today is a day to stop and remember to pray for our government. God, please forgive me for my own sins and forgive the sins of our nation. You have been so good to us, and we have not served You as we should. Things that are not pleasing to You are legal and some things that aren’t of You are even praised. You have been pushed out of schools by taking prayer out. Speaking about Jesus is offensive to some. People want nativity sets taken down. Some don’t want us to invoke Your Name or Jesus’s Name. You have given us all that we have and protected us, and as a nation, we have done evil in Your eyes. May God give everyone that has a leadership role in government, Godly wisdom. May they find Jesus and be convicted, so change comes in our land. May they hate what You hate. Let abortion end. Let anything that is not of You end, God. Please humble me and humble them. Soften and change hearts. May the be sold out to Jesus. Please forgive us and heal our land. When people really love Jesus, and are in awe of His sacrifice and love, so many others things will change. Because they know the depths of their sin and the amazing love of the Father and the Son, our Savior! Please have mercy on us in Jesus’s Name Amen. 46m
Especially in this last year of high school, God’s word has been such a comfort to me. Already I have been surrounded with so much suffering and grief with family health issues and the loss of both my grandparents, and the burden of it all has threatened to make me doubt what God’s purpose is in it all. But God has filled me with such an incredible peace that I know can come only from Him and His word. He has been graciously teaching me to depend on Him and trust that He is sovereign and I am not. He knows personally what suffering is, and loved me so much that he sent His only Son to suffer for my sins on the cross so that I could be restored into a relationship with Him. When I am going through trials, I am so thankful that He carries and sustains me; my joy, hope and victory.
Amelia, I love that you were in high school and that you are pursuing Jesus and growing closer to him. That you are leaning on him. I am sure this is tough with expectations you have always had of what your senior year would look like and it’s a bit different. Praying you continue to lean in to Him and that you are still able to celebrate your accomplishments for graduating from high school.
These words this morning made me think of James 1:2-4. “Count it all joy, my brothers and sisters, 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 nothing.” Next to these verses I have this note. “It’s not the trials that make me strong. It is what I choose to do with them.”
We will have trials, suffering, and hardship. People say that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. That’s true but only if this hardship is pushing me closer to God. My prayer is that my suffering, whatever it may be helps me lean into Him more. I want to suffer well – not get lost in questioning why but laying down and resting in His heart.
Yes
Well said Churchmouse! I agree that we tend to think we’re entitled to a trouble-free life, but there’s no promise of that anywhere in scripture. Instead we are promised suffering but also peace and presence and victory in the end. Amen!
I find I return to my Bible in times of hardship. I mean, when everything is going great, I’m busy, my prayers are quick, my Bible reading scattered… I am working to change this, and be in the Word always, not just when it’s convenient, and not just when I am suffering.
“Ask and you will receive, so that your joy maybe complete”
We do not suffer alone! The Lord is with us, whatever hardship we must bear. Thank you Lord!
God doesn’t waste anything.
In this world there will be suffering.
Grow me, change me, draw me nearer my God to thee.
I am never alone in the suffering.
You have overcome the world.
Thank you Lord of my live, my Savior, my God, and Friend.
I love the fact that Jesus doesn’t shrink back from trouble and He isn’t surprised by it. He is sovereign as is God the Father. Our triune God is all-knowing and eternal and sees all time and all events. He knows trouble and hardship are byproducts of the fall and this broken world. Yet, He has compassion and love for us and His creation, and He has triumphantly overcome all of the brokenness in the world through Jesus’ blood shed on the cross. Thanks be to God.
Every day we live is one day closer to the end of this life as we know it. Sobering thought I know, but true. The descriptions given in Scripture of what those days would look like is not for the faint of heart. Why then are we surprised or overly distraught over our current circumstances? This is how the Story goes. We are told it will get worse, not better. This is the unfolding of days before that day when Christ returns. His warnings of judgment are words of grace, words intended to encourage repentance while there is yet time. His mercy is available to all who turn to Him. This shaking of our world is to draw our attention beyond ourselves and towards our Creator. We think we know how our life should go, the normal we’ve come to expect/demand. Is there a sense of entitlement in this way of thinking? Yes, there is/will be suffering in this world. He has said so. Yes, every day we live is one day closer to the end of this life as we know it. Ahhh, but the next life! God speaks of that as well. Choose this day whom you will serve. Choose Jesus. Stand firm. Do not despair. Do not fear. He has spoken the truth plainly.
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“I have overcome the world”!! Thank you Jesus. That we can rest and have peace no matter what storms are swirling around us because you ARE peace.
Our Lord is so truthful and encouraging, as we see in these scriptures.
I am so thankful that I serve such a God. And the fact that He accepts all of us with out faults, fears, and hang ups, pure and simple He loves all of us.
33I 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.” Finding this very powerful today. ❤️
Thank You Jesus❤