Suffering isn’t easy. Whatever we are going through often seems to make it harder to have the right attitudes and do the right thing, doesn’t it?
If you are going through a time of trial and suffering, you’ll find a lot of wisdom in this guest post from my friend, Beth Steffaniak. Beth’s words have always been an encouragement to me, and today is no exception. In her post below, she shares a verse with us that can make all the difference in how we handle suffering. I was encouraged by this verse, just has Beth has been, and just as I feel you will be, too!
How to Navigate Suffering Like Jesus
Guest Post by Beth Steffaniak
I’ve never been much of a crier—at least not someone who cries publicly. But put me through a time of pain and loss, and you’ll find me crying my eyes out before the Lord in private prayer. It’s where I feel no fear, shame or hesitancy in shedding tears or being brokenhearted.
There’s a passage of Scripture that paints a portrait of Jesus as someone who continually poured out His heart to the Father in this very candid and unguarded way as well.
I’m so glad we have this peek into how Christ navigated suffering and loss, so that we can navigate these troubled waters in the same way He did … with hope in our loving Father.
“During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him . . .” —Hebrews 5:7-9 (NIV)
This passage has been so meaningful to me over the years. I think there are several important and powerful lessons we can learn from Jesus’ example in times of pain. These are lessons that I am learning and trying to apply each day—particularly, when I am going through trials.
Hopefully, they can be an encouragement for you in your times of adversity as well.
Navigate Suffering with Prayer
1. Jesus stayed constant in prayer and petition (v. 7).
While He was on earth, I’m certain that Jesus missed walking the streets of heaven with His Father. For a time, He traded in those walks to pound the dusty streets of Nazareth and beyond. Surely, He must have prayed out of homesickness at times. But more importantly . . .
Jesus knew the comfort that talking only with His Father could bring to every struggle in His life.
How often are you praying through your painful ordeal?
Know that you too can pray to the Father and gain His constant comfort at every turn.
2. He offered prayers with fervent cries and tears (v. 7).
Jesus was willing to be His true self at every turn, but especially with His heavenly Father. I want that same authenticity and vulnerability with the Lord as well.
I also notice that Jesus didn’t rush past the pain. After all, He knew that the Father would use His suffering—saving Him in that tomb from an everlasting death. Still, He chose to grieve each painful moment up to His death intentionally and deeply.
It’s almost as if He was bathing His prayers in the cleansing waters of His tears. This makes me realize that “liquid prayers” are some of the best prayers ever!
When was the last time you prayed “liquid prayers”?
Jesus didn’t rush past the pain. -Beth Steffaniak Share on XNavigate Suffering with Submission
3. He submitted to God in the pain and His prayers were heard because of it (v. 7).
This one really convicts me because I generally resist pain in my life. But Jesus always trusted God’s purposes in and through His adversity and pain. And, for this very reason, the Father heard His cry.
Do you realize that God is moved to hear your prayers when you submit to pain out of trust in Him?
Recently, I went through a really painful situation where I felt God nudging me to submit to the pain. So I made a conscious choice then (and now) to trust Him to heal me and to redeem what seems like a loss. I don’t yet know what God is doing in my situation, but I am determined to be faithful to Him, because I trust that He is faithful to me.
Do you realize that God is moved to hear your prayers when you submit to pain out of trust in Him? -Beth Steffaniak Share on X4. He accepted the call to suffer in life, instead of avoiding it (v. 8).
Even though Jesus was God’s Son, He didn’t take a pass on going through pain and injustice. And if anyone could avoid the pain, it was Jesus. That’s because He lived a sinless life. Yet He still willingly faced more pain than any of us will ever know in our lifetimes. He accepted this as the “cross” He needed to carry—going further, to die on a literal, splinter-infested cross for our sakes.
What is the cross Christ is asking you to carry in your life today? Are you resisting or accepting that call to suffer for His sake?
Navigate Suffering with the Right Perspective
5. He realized His suffering was necessary and purposeful (vv. 8-9).
Not only did Jesus need to learn “obedience” from what He suffered while on earth, He was made “perfect” by going through that pain.
You and I may not always see the purposes God has for the suffering we must face and endure in life. But we can be assured that God is using it to teach us obedience, as well as perfecting our image into more and more Christlikeness as a result. Most of all . . .
If Jesus needed painful tests and troubles, then what makes us think we can avoid them in our lives?
Jesus Navigated Suffering for Our Salvation
6. His perfection accomplished the best outcome ever—salvation for us! (v. 9)
He knew what was necessary to save our souls and willingly accepted that plight long before any of us even took our first breath. I’m sure He also knew and saw every single sin we would ever commit, yet did not reject us, nor veer from His mission to save us.
Also, I think that going through the sufferings and rejections of this life helped to give Him the compassion needed to love us in spite of ourselves. He knew the challenge of bearing up under intense pressure and excruciating heartbreak.
This gave Him the perfect perspective and heart to love, heal and save our imperfect souls.
Have you received His perfect love and salvation? He offers it to You—not just so you can escape the torture of an eternity in hell—but so you can endure the pain of life with a “living hope” that never dies, changes or fades.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade . . .” —1 Peter 1:3-4a
Which of the six lessons from Jesus’ example do you need to apply most in your challenging situation?
Get to Know Beth
Beth and her husband of 30 years are enjoying the early days of an empty-nest. Beth fills up her days with writing, life-coaching, mentoring, as well as speaking at workshops. You can also find more of her writing and insights at messymarriage.com, as well as hanging out on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. Don’t miss out on 35+ free resources available in her subscriber library too.”
*This post may be linked in the following places. Click through to find more hope and encouragement! Tea And Word Tuesdays / Cheerleaders of Faith / Coffee for Your Heart / Sitting Among Friends / Moments of Hope / Salt and Light / Heart Encouragement Thursday / Counting My Blessings / Grace and Truth
Well done, beth. Biblically inspired truths here. I love this. I am almost done writing a book on how God uses pain and suffering in our lives. Everything you share here is true. It may not always make sense, but there is a purpose in our suffering. Prayer is key but so is having the proper perspective as you mentioned. Your post is beautifully written and inspiring I will definitely be sharing this. May God continue to bless you and yours in all your endeavors.
Horace, thank you for visiting today!
Thank you for your encouraging words, Horace! If I’ve inspired you–who are writing a book on suffering, no less–then I feel like I’ve accomplished what I set out to do! You’ve blessed me!
This is so good, Beth! Submitting to the pain, realizing it has a purpose, and accepting the suffering in our own life are huge concepts. I think what my first reaction is to any pain or suffering and know that it doesn’t look like Jesus many times. I appreciate your thoughts here today and how you took us through Hebrews 5:7-9 to provide the example fo how Jesus approached suffering.
Mary, thanks for being here today!
I’m right there with you, Mary! My attitude and response in suffering is often not as “Christ-like” as I’d like to say it is. But we are all works in progress and I’m praying that we both learn to lean into Jesus’ tender side more and more with each trial and hardship we face! Hugs to you, my friend!
Oh, this is so real for me as I walk through this season of grief. Jesus clearly teaches that the way is THROUGH…not around or under or any other way. It is through the suffering, through the heartache, through the loneliness, through so much more. I am so grateful He is with me as I walk through this valley. He understands and is guiding me as I take one step and then another.
Linda, I love what you said, “Jesus clearly teaches that the way is THROUGH…not around or under or any other way.” This is so true and something we all need to remember! Thank you so much for visiting!
I love how you worded this, Linda. A dear friend who knows suffering well said to me, “We are well fed in the valley”. And that has certainly been true in my life. The most nourishment I have received in my walk with the Lord has been in the deepest valleys.
Yes, that’s a painful reality–that we must go through the suffering, Linda. But with Jesus as our Navigator and Comforter, we can’t go wrong! Praying for your grieving heart, dear friend! Forgive me for delaying in responding to your last email. Life’s been pretty hectic for me lately with “NEW” grandson’s arrival! I’ll be in touch!
Beth,
I have been going through an ongoing season of what next, Lord?? It seems like the suffering doesn’t want to end. I was convicted by the call to submit to the suffering. That’s a tough one because everything withing me wants to fight it. God has a higher calling and purpose in mind when I go through suffering and I need to have faith and trust that He knows what He is doing. I keep praying that He won’t leave me stuck here, but will walk through the valley with me to the other side. This is an excellent post. I am making a copy to refer to when I’m having those days that are harder than others to navigate the suffering. So good to be at your warm and welcoming place!!
Love and cyber ((hugs)),
Bev xoxo
Bev, I’m putting a copy on my prayer notebook for the same reason. Some days are just harder than others and this post has such a good perspective for me. Thanks so much for reading and for being here! Blessings!
Hey Bev, I’m sorry that you’re in a “stuck” place of pain. I’m sort of in one too and it’s lingered for years now–not because of any marriage issues, thankfully! But stuck and in pain nonetheless. Thanks for sharing so vulnerably and coming by to encourage me. I will pray that the Lord brings hope back to your heart and opens the next right door for you, my friend! And I’d appreciate your prayers for me in that same way! Hugs to you!
Ugh…the submission part is sometimes the hardest! But yes, that is a critical part of accepting our suffering with grace. Now the crying part…that comes easily. 🙂
Lisa, ditto on that! Thanks so much for being here!
Yes, it is, Lisa! Especially when you’re stubborn and independent like me! ha! But it truly is so important to accepting suffering with the grace that Jesus did. He was the epitome of submission in every way! Thanks for encouraging me here in this space, my friend!
When I think of navigating suffering, I automatically think of prayer. Submission – although very true and so well stated here – is so much difficult to acknowledge. I pray I will be willing, and submissive, whatever challenges, heartaches or sufferings may lie ahead.
Jennifer, so true. Submission is a hard thing! We have to pray for that for sure. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Praying the same prayer for you, Jennifer! I struggle with submission on so many levels, but especially when I’m suffering. So I get how difficult this is for you right now. I hope and pray you feel Jesus wrapping His arms around you and drawing you close to His heart!
Point 3, submitting to God in the pain and He hears our prayers: I’m feeling the pain of rejection and the loss of a career. God is so faithful, I’m claiming it each day. This post was so encouraging.
Nancy, thanks so much for being here. I’m sorry for your hard season. I’m so glad this post was encouraging to you. It helped me so much, too. Thinking of you!
I’m so glad it was helpful for you, Nancy! I’m so sorry to hear that you’re in that valley of rejection and loss. I will pray for you that God provides and protects you–leading you to feel His closeness like never before!
Great post, Beth. A bullet-listed methodology like this really sets out the challenge and the task; I’m sure this has helped a LOT of people.
Having swallowed the whole stiff-upper-lip thing hook, line, and sinker, I don’t unbend to tears and anguish, which drives Barbara kind of crazy, because she thinks there’s a chained-up inner child, alone and sniffling in the dark.
But there isn’t, I’m afraid. I’m happy with my situation. I accept the purpose of cancer, and it’s my choice to turn the outcome into something worthwhile. Sure, I’m in more pain than I can describe (even now, writing this!) but it’s OK. Pain’s just a part of it. And, as they say, rain ain’t nuthin’ but wet.
One thing I realized while reading your essay is that I do pray – a lot – but always for others. I never pray on my own behalf, except sometimes to ask God to take someone else’s troubles or afflictions from them, and give them to me. Barb thinks that’s insane. But I’m kind of an expert on pain, and if I can pray away someone else’s at the cost of adding to my own, it’s worth it. Kennedy urged us to bear any burden; well, why not?
Andrew, thank you for reading! Your attitude with chronic pain and your illness is a real testimony to having a positive attitude. I’m sure this is encouraging to others and it’s also a good example of accepting things as they are – a very difficult thing in many circumstances. Thanks so much for being here today!
You truly are one of a kind, Andrew! I don’t think Barbara can comprehend that, especially living with you day after day and seeing you suffer with, as you’ve said, a stiff upper lip. I don’t know that I could handle that either, but from the outside looking in–it’s very inspiring! Know that I do pray for you daily, even if I don’t always get back to your place. And thank you for supporting me here, my friend!
Beautiful and powerful, Beth. I used to never say those descriptive words in conjunction with suffering or pain. Yet, now I see there’s purpose in God allowing it and I need to be purposeful in how I walk through it. That’s why I love this post. Your statement of Jesus not rushing past pain really resonated with me. Because in our culture we rush through and past everything. But when we rush past pain, we may end up taking the same spiritual class again.
So true, Karen–we may need to repeat that lesson, if we don’t embrace the suffering Christ endured for our sakes. It’s not something I want to hear, but nevertheless is true! If I want to be like Christ, I must submit to suffering just like He did. Thank you for your kind words, my friend! And for stopping by to join the conversation!
Karen, so very true. I’ve recently been through some things and it has changed the way I see suffering. There’s so many purposes in it that we can’t see when we are going through it, and some we may never see, but God is working and the results will come if we don’t rush past the pain. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Yes, isn’t it wonderful how brave and faithful Jesus was even in His pain, Karen? His willingness to be vulnerable with the Father certainly reveals so much about how we need to respond in our times of suffering and pain. Thank you for encouraging me and joining our conversation here in Leslie’s wonderful space!
Beth, what a beautiful and accurate depiction of Jesus’ response to suffering! Liquid prayers.. that’s GOLD!! I’ve sure said a few of those in my lifetime. Thank you for sharing such wisdom here!
Thank you, Rachel! You are a great encourager in my life, my friend! I only hope I can be that for you as well! 🙂
This hit me right where I’m at today, Leslie and Beth. Beth, I think this might be one of the clearest descriptions of how to endure suffering I’ve ever read. What a wonderful job. We’re in the thick of it here right now, and to call it anything less than suffering would be minimizing it. There is light at the end of our tunnel, but the tunnel is lonnnggggg! The Hebrews verse you shared is the verse God gave me at the beginning of this journey. Thank you so much for your words. You are a blessing!
Stacey, I agree! This one is one to read more than once and Beth did such a good job. It meant a lot to me, too and I’m so appreciative of beth posting here!
Oh wow! I’m so glad that you could resonate with and feel connected to this verse in a special way, Stacey! It’s one of my favorites too! And yes, we must not minimize our suffering, but lean into Jesus’ tender side for His comfort. After all, He surely knows the ways that we hurt! Thanks for your encouragement, my friend!
Great post! 💜 I love the thought of liquid prayers. Sharing Many thanks!
Debra, thanks for stopping by, and yes, what a great way to think of it!
Thank you, Debra! I appreciate your kind words to me!
Wonderful insight and encouragement, Beth and Leslie. It’s true that we want to avoid pain. But I have found when I’m in that pain I want to need God. He gives what I need to get through the next hour and the next. He is so faithful. Thanks for sharing this message.
Terri, so very true! Thank you so much for dropping by today!
Yes, so true, Terri! Our sorrows compel us into the arms of our comforting Savior! Beautiful thought to add! Thanks for coming by to encourage and support me, my friend! Hugs to you!
Beth & Leslie – Thanks for this post and the great points you make. All too often I think we don’t understand why we have to endure suffering – but maybe it’s because we forget that Jesus suffered ? I don’t know, but I do know that if Jesus went through it and endured suffering, we should expect to as well. Blessings to you both and we are neighbors today at #TeaAndWord. Thanks
Debbie,
Thanks so much for stopping by today!
I agree, Debbie! We always have to keep in mind how our Lord suffered, whenever we are facing trials and pain. This picture of our weeping Savior certainly compels me to lean into the sorrow, knowing He is ever-ready to be my Comforter! Thanks for stopping in to encourage and share your thoughts, my friend!
Leslie and Beth … thanks for showing what it looks like to suffer well.
No one suffered like He did.
Linda,
Thank you for visiting!
Isn’t that the truth, Linda! No one! So He knows better than we can ever imagine how we feel in our sufferings! Thanks so much for stopping by to encourage and support, dear friend! Hugs to you!
Thanks so much for coming by to encourage, Bettie! Yes, that phrase is so inspiring and instrumental in refocusing me on Christ and His perseverance under pain and suffering. I can’t make it through without His strength in my weakness, that’s for sure! So glad He is strong enough to carry us all in our sorrows.
Thank you so much for sharing this post today, Beth and Leslie. That passage from Hebrews is so precious, and I have been hearing the phrase, “Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered,” echoing in my heart so much lately. What a beautiful confirmation from the Lord. Blessings to you both.
Bettie, I loved that passage, too and found it so encouraging. Thanks so much for being here today!