Weekly Devo: Benefits of a Grateful Heart - Suffering

We like benefits. Benefits from membership, cash back coupons, rebates, refunds, BOGO sales, and even the benefits from someone else paying it forward. This month we will see the benefits of a grateful heart. Indeed, we can be grateful for the blessings of faith yet, we don't always count it a blessing from suffering! 

Suffering is NOT something that we enjoy nor do we race toward. It is something that we will want to avoid if at all possible. When we are sick, we seek an immediate solution from a physician. When we are distressed, we go to others to alleviate our mental health. We turn to friends when we are in trouble; receiving professional intervention when we are having problems. The world is filled with professionals like psychologist, lawyers, physicians, mental health specialists, technicians, electricians, and even pastors. We look toward others when we are in trouble and in distress.

As I write this blog and preparing to preach on Sunday, I can hear the television commercial in the other room that encourages us to file with lawyers when we have had something difficult in our lives. Whether medical malpractice or accidental death and injury, we are told that we can receive compensation. In our suffering, we would quickly blame others. We also want reparations for our losses and compensation in our difficulties.

This is the way of the world … not so with God! I am not advocating that you should not seek legal advice. I am simply saying that this will not prepare us for heaven. While it makes life more comfortable this side of heaven, yet, it does not solve our spiritual needs. 

Even in our deepest struggles, often our instinct is to seek compensation and blame others for our misfortunes. It’s a natural response to want reparations for our losses. However, as we navigate our challenges, we must remember that God calls us to a higher perspective.

So, as part of this blog in sermon series, I would encourage us to bring non-perishable goods that we can give away to Ministries that we support: New Life Ministries and United With Love  Huntington County, Indiana.

We seek to solve those things that are inconvenient, uncomfortable, and seemingly unresolved. Many search for solutions in the wrong place. Self-determined will or quickly to give up are the extremes that many will turn to. While it's not wrong to seek assistance, we must recognize that worldly solutions alone will not prepare us for the blessings of Heaven. Taking comfort in this life is essential, yet it must not overshadow our spiritual needs. 

It is ultimately self-serving. 

No one likes to suffer. We may even feel like it is a curse to suffer. Yet, the Bible tell us that when we suffer for the right cause or have the right attitude, we can rejoice. Paul tells us this in Philippians, while he was in prison, he tells us that "(He) who began a good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished...." (Phil. 1:6)

When we read Philippians, we are encouraged to have joy. Much like what was written in book of James when we are to consider a pure joy when we suffer. Yet, suffering is something we want to ignore. I hate to see it in others, but we ourselves will avoid it at any cost. We might even turn to excuses or blaming when suffering occurs. Yet, Paul, who is in prison and suffering for Christ helps us to understand how we are to respond when we suffer.

I believe that there are benefits to gratitude. If we are grateful for what God is doing innocent through us, we will look to him, and by being grateful find benefits during times of suffering.

Today, I want to talk about a couple of them that we find in the first chapter and throughout this month. I want us to talk about the issue of suffering as it pertains to thankfulness. Most especially, what does it mean to have gratitude! 

This month we will be looking at the benefits of gratitude. Today I’m talking about suffering, but the rest of this month I will be also dealing with subjects to include: Attitude, Eternal Perspectives, and Contentment and Peace. These topics will lead us to an understanding of the benefits of gratitude.

For today, we need to look at chapter one of Philippians. 

Within this chapter, we find that there are several key points that are takeaways. Let me share a few.

1. First of all, Paul is writing a thank you note to the people in Philippi who were helping him during his imprisonment. (Read Philippians 1:3)

A benefit that Paul received was monetary, but it also is filled with relationships by other believers. Their gifts were more than financial; they signified a deep relational bond among believers. Those in New Testament prisons relied on the generosity of others. When we contribute, we build up the church and support God's work.

- We see that they send someone with the gifts to support him.

There is no other way that a prisoner can be helped except through gifts. Those who were imprisoned in New Testament days were completely dependent on the generosity of others. 

Though Paul benefited financially, he was encouraging the Philippians to also recognize their contribution to their ministry as well. Paul started the church and it was growing because of a good foundation that Paul had established.

Suffering is something none of us willingly embrace. It’s not a destination we aim for; rather, it’s an experience we strive to avoid. When we find ourselves unwell, we seek doctors to remedy our physical ailments. In times of emotional distress, we may turn to friends, family, or professionals to help alleviate our pain. There are countless experts in the world—psychologists, lawyers, pastors, and more—ready to lend support in our moments of need.

2. We also find out that Paul is rejoicing in his suffering because the Word (the message of Christ) is going forth. (Philippians 1:20-24)

Another benefit that we see is that Paul is able to share the message of Christ in the midst of his suffering. He is encouraging the Philippians to have joy in their suffering.

In verses 20-24, Paul emphasizes that he is rejoicing because the message of Christ is still being proclaimed amidst his suffering. Just as athletes develop strength through training, we cultivate perseverance and character through our trials. Remember, as believers, we are not exempt from suffering; instead, through our challenges, our faith can flourish.

As we grow in our faith, like an athlete, we develop perseverance in our suffering, and we gain strength through difficulties. We can run the race further as we endure suffering, and especially in our faith. To avoid suffering is to limit our potential in Christ.

- The reality is that we will suffer. This life is not fair. 

Of course it is similarly unfair, but we are all subject to suffering. Physical limitations, and health restrictions contribute to an uncomfortable life. He yet, for those of us that have faith in Christ we benefit by the character that is built as as well as our ability to be grateful in all circumstances

No one chooses to suffer, but since we likely will suffer, we can find our faith strengthened.

- It is also the reality that we will be persecuted for our faith.

Though we don’t really understand persecution in this country, nevertheless, we will face hardships and difficulty as we profess our faith and uphold the Cross of Christ. If it were easy, they would not call it Faith

- Paul was in great discomfort and persecuted, but for him to die is a great gain.

Notice that in this occasion, the prison doors in the chains did not fall off miraculously as it did in the time he was in Philip. See Acts 16. (Caused by persecution when Paul cast out the demon in a young slave girl. (Acts 16:16)  Paul welcomed persecution if it meant sharing the gospel, but in the time that he wrote Philippi, the prison doors did not swing open, but the gospel did go out among all of the Roman government through his prison ministry.

Paul would rather live. He’s not saying that he wants to die. Yet, he is telling us and the people in Philippi that though he suffers, to the point of death, it is a reward to him because of his journey with Christ.

3. When we look closely at the text, we find that he is encouraging others who suffer because they are partakers in his suffering. (Philippians 1:27-29)

As believers, and even what we demonstrated through missions, month, we take part in the suffering of others through our acts of kindness and resources.

- We have the opportunity to help one another. Virtue doesn’t save us, but we ask what is our salvation for?

It’s important for us to realize that in our suffering, it doesn’t increase the potential of heaven, rather, it brings others to the opportunity of faith in Christ. Suffering is a part of life, but as we express virtue, we bring others to Faith. We should never tell people that life will be perfect when we come to Faith. We know that life is better because of our relationship with Christ and the benefits we receive in Faith yet, we are enduring for the sake of Christ when we are suffering for Christ! 

Finally, in verses 27-29, Paul encourages the church to participate in the sufferings of others. Our acts of kindness impact lives, extending the love of Christ. True virtue does not save us, but our faith and actions can draw others closer to God. Life does not automatically become perfect with faith; rather, we can find purpose in our challenges, knowing that God’s presence transforms our trials into tools for growth and connection.

A key verse is actually my life verse. Philippians 1:6 is encouraging the people in Philippi that God has created a good work within them and will carry it on completion! We know that we are completely dependent upon our Lord, Jesus Christ. As we have faith in him, he will help us to endure through the hardships that we experience the side of heaven. While the kingdom of God is active in our world today, we are not exempt from hardships in difficulties that help us to grow in our dependency on God through Christ Jesus. 

As we conclude today’s message, I invite you to reflect on this week’s study. What are the sufferings you are currently facing? How have you discovered faith, hope, and resilience in these difficulties? Let your experiences and answers form the basis of your testimony about God’s enduring goodness.

So the beginning of this blog series is to remind us to be thankful. We looked at Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi, which was a thank you for their support.

So, the beginning of this series is to remind us to be thankful. We looked at Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi, which was a thank you for their support.

Did you know that the longest thank you note was over 400 meters? It is nearly taller than the Empire State Building with 270,000 signatures. Check it out here.

As we wrap up the study for this week, take time to answer the questions on your own: 

What is your present suffering?  When have you found faith and hope in your hardship? How have you been able to trust God more through your difficulty?