“I am glad when I suffer for you in my body, for I am participating in the sufferings of Christ that continue for his body, the church.” — Colossians 1:24 (NLT)
Who on earth would be glad to suffer? At first glance, Paul’s words seem strange. Is he a masochist? A glutton for pain? No—not at all. Paul isn’t rejoicing in suffering itself. He’s rejoicing because of why he suffers.
It’s like a woman in labor—she endures the pain not because she enjoys it, but because of the joy on the other side. The suffering has meaning. It brings life. And that’s what Paul is getting at here.
Christ left His church with work to do: to carry the good news, to make disciples, to build up one another in love. Sometimes that work is hard. Sometimes it costs us something. But when we see others grow, when we see people come to know God, when lives are changed because we were faithful—it’s worth it.
The suffering isn’t the joy. The reason we suffer is. Paul suffered so others could know Christ, and that gave him joy.
So if you’re walking through something hard because you’re doing what God has called you to do—take heart. Your pain has purpose. Your faithfulness matters. And there is deep joy on the other side.
Prayer: Jesus, thank You for giving my pain a purpose. Help me to endure whatever comes with joy, not because it’s easy, but because it’s worth it. Let my life help others know You more. Give me strength to keep going and faith to see the fruit that comes from obedience. Amen.
en.