Suffering For Something Greater!

August 13, 2026

Suffering For Something Greater!

A different kind of suffering.

A few weeks ago, my wife and I traveled to Lincoln, Nebraska to visit my side of the family. We were there just a few days, but the time was filled with delicious eats, great conversations, and lots of joy. We even shared some memories of when we were younger.

As we headed back home after the visit, I wondered what my relationships with my side of the family would have been if I had pursued a career that would have allowed me to stay close to my parents and siblings.

As I pondered the question, there was an awareness of some things I may have missed in those years when my career and the locations where I worked did not often allow me to be close to my family. There was a bit of sadness rise up inside of me.

To pursue the call of Jesus on my life, it was necessary for me to let go of some things. I let go of a dream of working in retail management. I let go of a dream of living in the place I grew up. I let go of a dream of being close to my parents and siblings.

The letting go of some things so I could say “Yes” to the call of Jesus was necessary but not always easy. The call of Jesus was filled with great joy, lots of spiritual growth, and the opportunity to see the Lord do miracles. The call of Jesus also involved some suffering; some separation from my family, some difficult circumstances to navigate, and some “hard to love” people to serve.

When we chase hard after something to which Jesus is calling us, there may be some times of suffering to endure. In his letter to the church at Colossae, the Apostle Paul mentions that he suffered because of his calling to and ministry with the Christians in that city. 

In Colossians 1:24 the Apostle Paul writes; “I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church.” Paul suffered because he chased hard after the call of Jesus on his life.  

In II Corinthians 11:23-28 (CEV) Paul describes some of his sufferings while pursuing the call of Christ.

“Are they servants of Christ? I am a fool to talk this way, but I serve him better than they do. I have worked harder and have been put in jail more times. I have been beaten with whips more and have been in danger of death more often. Five times my own people gave me 39 lashes with a whip. Three times the Romans beat me with a big stick, and once my enemies stoned me. I have been shipwrecked three times, and I even had to spend a night and a day in the sea. During my many travels, I have been in danger from rivers, robbers, my own people, and foreigners. My life has been in danger in cities, in deserts, at sea, and with people who only pretended to be the Lord’s followers. I have worked and struggled and spent many sleepless nights. I have gone hungry and thirsty and often had nothing to eat. I have been cold from not having enough clothes to keep me warm. Besides everything else, each day I am burdened down, worrying about all the churches.”

Because the Apostle Paul trusted and obeyed Jesus’ call, he experienced suffering. As Paul makes clear in his letter to the church in Colossae, he suffered for the sake of the people and for the sake of Christ’s Church.

As you read through the list of Paul’s sufferings, you will notice that many of the things he experienced would have resulted in death for most people. And yet, the Lord helped Paul endure the physical suffering, the constant rejection, the on-going threats, living in the face of danger, and the burden of deep concern for churches who were struggling.

The good news is if we suffer because we are chasing after Jesus or because we are trusting and obeying the call of Jesus, Jesus will protect us, Jesus will provide for us, Jesus will be present with us, and Jesus will help us endure the pain and suffering that we experience.

The suffering I experienced because I said “Yes” to the call of Jesus in my life is nothing compared to what the Apostle Paul experienced because he said “Yes” to the call of Jesus in his life. And yet, there were times, when the pain and the suffering seemed overwhelming and unbearable.

When the suffering goes on and on, when the pain seems to never stop, when our heart continues to ache day after day, there is good news; Jesus will protect us, Jesus will provide for us, Jesus will be present with us, Jesus will help us endure the pain and suffering, and Jesus will heal the pain and suffering.

I invite you to read both Colossians 1:24 and II Corinthians 11:23-28 each morning and each evening for the next seven days.

+Compare your pain and suffering with that of Paul.

+Ask if your pain and suffering is for a greater purpose like the call of Jesus.

+Invite Jesus to protect you, provide for you, and be present with you as He helps you endure the pain and suffering.

When you do these things, delight will begin to fill your heart once again.

Take Delight In The Lord!

Doug