Introduction
This is now my 17th day in prison. I’m in prison because I’m unwilling to compromise my convictions before God and allow the state to dictate the manner of worship and fellowship in the church of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Imprisonment is a painful experience. You are away from all of your loved ones and much of life that brings pleasure and purpose. There are physical, mental and spiritual challenges to be faced each day.
Yet, my experience in prison has been a painful joy. Yes, those can go together. Like when Paul writes that he is “sorrowful, yet always rejoicing”. He also says, “For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10). It’s not an acknowledgment that there are highs and lows in our journey through life. There are highs in the lows, joy in the pain.
It is not as if Paul and Christians love pain for its own sake. And it is not that experiences are never truly painful. In fact, Paul describes his pain and suffering in 2 Corinthians 11:23-29. He recounts lashings, hunger, thirst, cold, imprisonment, beatings, shipwreck, stonings, sleepless nights, and on top of this the daily burden of the churches and the pain of those who have abandoned the faith. Paul knew pain and sorrow.
So how can he rejoice in pain? How can he say, “I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake” (Colossians 1:24)?
Reasons for Joy in Suffering
Let me direct you to nine reasons to have joy in the midst of pain. I write these for my sake, as well as for all who are experiencing hardship for the Name.
1. The Gospel Advances Through Suffering
The gospel advances victoriously in the same manner in which Christ won our victory – through suffering and sacrifice. Paul rejoices in Colossians 1:24-29 that through his suffering the gospel has come to the Gentiles. In Philippians 2:17-18 he rejoices – while in prison – that his life has been poured out like a drink offering to God, resulting in their faith. The gospel is advancing through my imprisonment for Christ as well. I’ve heard multiple reports of people coming to true faith in Christ as a result of my hardships, and in that I greatly rejoice!
2. We Become Like Jesus in our Suffering
In Romans 8:28-30, it tells us that all things – whether painful or pleasurable – work together to make disciples of Christ look more and more like Jesus. Every disciple wants to be like his master, so it brings us joy to know that God is doing that in our present circumstances. 1 Peter 2:21 reminds us that as we suffer unjustly, we follow in Jesus’ steps and are called to entrust ourselves to God as he did, which brings us joy when we desist from reviling, threatening, and bitterness and follow the example of Christ and become like him in suffering.
3. Jesus is Seen in Our Suffering
When we suffer as Jesus did, become like him, follow his example, others will see the life of Jesus through us. Paul said as much in 2 Corinthians 4:10-11: “always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.” What a joy to consider that the life of Jesus may be seen through our dying bodies, bringing life and light to a dying and dark world.
4. We Please God as We Patiently Suffer
Peter reminds us in 1 Peter 2:19 that God is pleased when we suffer unjustly for righteousness’ sake: “For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.” There is soul-satisfying joy for a lover of God to know that their patient endurance in the pain of unjust treatment pleases their heavenly father.
5. Our Faith is Tried and Purified
1 Peter 1:7 says, “so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” What a contrast to the shallow soil in Jesus’ parable that appeared to support a fruitful life but trials and persecutions exposed a shallow, rootless faith. What a joy to be tested through trials and be purified revealing a precious God-wrought faith that cannot be moved. (see also James 1:2-4 and Romans 5:3-4)
6. Our Perseverance in Suffering Inspires the Faithful
Hebrews 11, the “Hall of Faith” lists example after example of those who paid the price to remain faithful to God and his promises. Why include a whole chapter on this? Hebrews 12:1 says “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” Other Christians suffering hardship for Christ’s sake that remain steadfast under trial stir us up to follow their example. What a joy to know that we can encourage others in this way.
7. God Uses Suffering to Uproot Sin and Produce Righteous Fruit
The bible reminds us that pain in our lives is God’s tool to prune and nurture a harvest of righteousness. Hebrews 12:11 says, “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” There is joy in painful experiences knowing God is working to make us more holy.
8. The Honor of Suffering for the One Who Suffered for Us
Peter and the apostles boldly said that they “must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). They had to pay the price for those words and put their money where their mouth is. They were arrested, flogged, and released on condition to stop preaching in Jesus’ name (Acts 5:40). How did they respond? “Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.” (Acts 5:41) Since Christ has suffered for us, what a joy to suffer for him and the fame of his glorious name.
9. The Reminder and Reward of Future Glory
In 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 we’re reminded that our “light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory.” Our present temporary troubles make us long for a glorious future that will last forever. Also in Luke 6:22-23, Jesus reminds us of the heavenly reward that awaits those who suffer for him: “Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.”
Count it all joy to stand with the prophets of old who were also persecuted for righteousness’ sake. Every follower of Christ longs deeply to hear the words, “Well done my good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your master.” (Matthew 25:21)
Conclusion
I can say that prison is a painful experience, especially when I am here unjustly. But in and through this pain there is such joy because not only do I see these nine reasons for joy in suffering in the Scriptures, I see it in my life and in other lives impacted by my imprisonment.
So in my sufferings and imprisonment I greatly rejoice and so should you. “Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.” (Philippians 2:17-18)