Jesus' Presence in Our Suffering and Trials

The Relevance of Jesus’ Presence in Suffering

Have you ever found yourself in a really tough situation and wondered if God sees you or cares about what you’re going through? If so, know that you are not alone; we all go through these moments at some point in our lives. It’s so comforting to remember that Jesus tells us He will never leave us like orphans, stranded and without hope (John 14:18; Hebrews 13:5; Matthew 28:20). Even during our trials and suffering, Jesus is always right there with us, even if it doesn’t feel that way. Suffering is something we all encounter as a result of the sin and brokenness in this world, and believing that Jesus stays by our side during these times can truly transform our experience. So, let’s start with that foundational belief!

Theological Foundation

While this short article is not intended to be a full theological review of our union with Christ and suffering, I want to point out some very important beliefs for us to consider. First, having union with Christ means that through the work of the Holy Spirit, we are united with Christ in his life, sufferings, death, resurrection, and glorification (Col. 3:3-4; Rom. 6:3-5; Matt. 10:40; Phil. 3:10). The Westminster Confession of Faith, in chapter 26, puts it this way, “All saints that are united to Jesus Christ their head by his Spirit, and by faith, have fellowship with him in his graces, sufferings, death, resurrection, and glory.” So, having union with Christ is like being the branches on a vine, and that vine is Jesus himself. We share everything with Christ; this means that Jesus is with us in every trial and in all the suffering we might endure.

Second, Jesus is also known as the suffering servant. The prophet Isaiah portrays Jesus as being oppressed and afflicted, like a sheep being led to the slaughter (Isaiah 53:7). The author of Hebrews also describes Jesus as being able to sympathize with us in our suffering because He Himself was afflicted and suffered (Heb. 4:15). Eric Johnson states, in his book on Soul Care, “Communing with Christ in one’s suffering and knowing that one is sharing in Christ’s sufferings, therefore, has significant potential to alter the believer’s experience of suffering and make the distress more tolerable while working through it toward resurrection.” Jesus didn’t just witness suffering; He entered into it and therefore identifies with our suffering. So, we can turn to Jesus in every trial, temptation, and suffering because He is by our side and identifies with us more than anyone or anything else ever could.

Redemptive Purpose of Suffering

A major misconception about suffering is that we often believe that all our suffering is in vain or represents some sort of injustice against us. However, in reality, each of our sufferings serves a divine purpose within God’s will, as it transforms us to be more like Christ. A frequently referenced verse is Romans 8:28, which becomes clearer when we consider the following verse alongside it. Paul states, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers (Romans 8:28-29).” It has always been God’s intention to mold us into the image of his Son by allowing us to share in the suffering and trials of this world. Therefore, our suffering directs us toward our future glory in Christ! 

Suffering is not a random injustice against us; rather, it is a tool that God uses for our good and His glory. Suffering builds endurance for future challenges, shapes our character as God’s children, and instills hope in our future glory—all because God, through the Holy Spirit, has poured out His love on us (Rom. 5:4). Thus, our suffering is never in vain, and we are never alone in it, for our Father loves us as His very own. 

The Communion of Saints

Another way God reveals Himself in our suffering is through the fellowship of the church, or the communion of saints. Again, the Westminster Confession of Faith is helpful, “Saints, by profession, are bound to maintain a holy fellowship and communion in the worship of God, and in performing such other spiritual services as tend to their mutual edification; as also in relieving each other in outward things, according to their several abilities and necessities (Ch. 26).” Likewise, the author of Hebrews reminds us not to neglect meeting together as some have become accustomed to (Heb. 10:24-25). To put it plainly, we need each other, and God has uniquely built up a people for Himself in the church. 

In late 2022, I experienced a traumatic accident that resulted in neck surgery and numerous stitches on my head. Two days before this incident, my wife and I had moved into a new house, and everything was still boxed up. As a result, I found myself in the hospital, with a house full of boxes, unable to assist my wife in any way. However, our church stepped up, as they always do, and took care of all our needs. After a few days, I was released to go home and recover. Despite still feeling weak and in a lot of pain, I remained of limited help. Thankfully, we had people checking on us, counseling us, comforting us, and feeding us. This is what it means to be the church and care for one another. We didn’t have to endure that suffering alone, because God placed people around us to support us, and the same can be true for you. If you need care and support while suffering, reach out to those around you. God will use it for your good and His glory. 

Sacramental Presence 

We also see this idea of union with Christ in the sacraments, particularly in the Lord’s Supper. In partaking of the Lord’s Supper, we declare our union with Christ in his death and resurrection while also seeking the nourishment of forgiveness. The Heidelberg Catechism, in question 76, states, “What does it mean to eat the crucified body of Christ and to drink his poured-out blood? It means to accept with a believing heart the entire suffering and death of Christ and thereby to receive forgiveness of sins and eternal life. But it means more. Through the Holy Spirit, who lives both in Christ and in us, we are united more and more to Christ’s blessed body. And so, although he is in heaven and we are on earth, we are flesh of his flesh and bone of his bone. And we forever live on and are governed by one Spirit, as the members of our body are by one soul.

The Lord’s Supper unites us with Christ, nourishing both our body and soul, even amidst our suffering. This is why having a faithful church to call home is vital for all of us. Through the church, we encounter the support of God’s people, and we receive nourishment through the sacraments. The church helps us recognize the good in our suffering and enables us to encounter Jesus firsthand, regardless of the situations and pain we might be facing. 

Conclusion

If we want to transform our trials and sufferings into growth and hope, we must acknowledge our union with Christ and the assistance God has provided through the church. Here are three ways to make this a reality:

• Reflect on your suffering and trials, pray to Jesus Christ, and study God’s Word. 

• Be vulnerable with those around you, diligently seek encouragement, and encourage others in their pain and suffering. 

• Engage in the life of a faithful church and the sacraments for strength.

Psalm 23:4 is a verse that is good to memorize and remind yourself of often: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” This is the hope we carry, that even in our darkest valleys, God is with us and protecting us. I hope this article serves as a helpful reminder that none of our suffering is ever in vain.