New Hope Brisbane

Learning Through Suffering

While he lived on earth, anticipating death, Jesus cried out in pain and wept in sorrow as he offered up priestly prayers to God. Because he honoured God, God answered him. Though he was God’s Son, he learned trusting-obedience by what he suffered, just as we do. Then, having arrived at the full stature of his maturity and having been announced by God as high priest in the order of Melchizedek, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who believingly obey him. Hebrews 5:7-10

We can also learn trusting-obedience through suffering. If everything was always rosy in our life, many would think we would have no need for God.


A South-African friend of mine recently said that their country is a third-world country, and so many people come to God because they are suffering so much. But over here in Australia, people have so much and they think they don’t need God!

The reality is that we are all sinners separated from God, and anyone who thinks they don’t need God’s salvation everyday of their life is living in darkness, and they don’t know the truth.

Brother Yun from the book “The Heavenly Man,” one of the leaders of the Chinese house churches said he pities us westerners, because we have so much, and we have insurance for everything. But in China, they have nothing and are persecuted for being Christians so much, that they are desperate for God’s redemption.

Even Jesus, God’s own Son, “cried out in pain and wept in sorrow as he offered up priestly prayers to God.” (Heb 5:7) Let’s make sure suffering and hard times don’t ruin us, but let it develop our character. Let suffering be our teacher not our backbreaker.

Lisa Simpson said “Whatever doesn’t kill me only makes me stronger” Whatever struggles we go though, let’s remember the pain Jesus went through on the Cross for us. We really are blessed in this Great Southland of the Holy Spirit. Let’s not focus on our struggles, let’s focus on our Saviour this Christmas.

Lord thank you for the pain you went through for our gain. Help me keep my eyes on you, no matter what I go through. I need more of you in my life, come and fill me with your Holy Spirit. Amen.