Faith and Human Experience of Struggle in Suffering
Faith, in a general sense, is the mind's persuasion that a statement is true, implying trust and varying in degree up to full assurance based on evidence [5]. This trust becomes particularly significant when individuals face suffering and struggle. The New Testament frequently connects faith with the experience of hardship, suggesting that suffering is often an expected part of the Christian life [12].
The experience of suffering can lead to the development of spiritual qualities. The book of Romans indicates a progression where endurance produces experience, and experience, in turn, produces hope [1]. This suggests that enduring trials can deepen one's understanding and solidify their hope. Similarly, the apostle Paul expressed a desire to know Christ, including "the fellowship of His sufferings," being conformed to Him in His death [3]. This perspective views suffering not merely as an unfortunate event, but as a means of drawing closer to Christ and participating in His experience.
Scripture also commends those who endure suffering unjustly due to their conscience toward God [2, 4]. This endurance is seen as a commendable act, highlighting a connection between one's faith and their response to adversity. The concept of "perseverance" is identified as a characteristic of saints and an evidence of reconciliation with God and belonging to Christ [10]. This perseverance is to be manifested in seeking God, waiting upon God, prayer, and well-doing, and is maintained through divine power and Christ's intercession [10].
The compassion of Christ is presented as an encouragement during times of struggle. Christ's compassion for the weary, the weak in faith, the tempted, and the afflicted is noted as necessary for his priestly office [6]. This compassion serves as an encouragement for prayer, suggesting that individuals can approach God with their struggles, trusting in Christ's understanding [6]. Prayer itself, while not theoretically explained in Scripture regarding its efficacy, is presented as a means of engaging with God amidst life's difficulties [7].
Suffering for one's faith is not an anomaly but is often portrayed as an expected reality. Those who live godly lives in Christ are told to expect suffering [8]. This persecution can stem from ignorance of God, hatred toward God and Christ, hatred of the gospel, pride, or mistaken zeal [8]. However, the suffering of saints is also seen as a persecution of Christ himself [8].
The "work of faith" is described as the active reality of faith, demonstrating itself through its fruits rather than being a passive assent [11]. This implies that faith is not merely an intellectual belief but an active principle that guides one's actions and responses, particularly in the face of struggle. The long-suffering of God, characterized by patience and a desire for salvation, is presented as an attribute that should lead individuals to repentance and offers encouragement to do so [9]. This divine long-suffering provides a model and a context for human endurance in suffering.
Sources
- Romans “Romans 5:4 (YLT) — and the endurance, experience; and the experience, hope;”
- 1 Peter “For it is commendable if someone endures pain, suffering unjustly, because of conscience toward God. -- 1 Peter 2:19”
- Philippians “Philippians 3:10 (BSB) — I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to Him in His death,”
- I Peter “I Peter 2:19 (BSB) — For if anyone endures the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God, this is to be commended.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Faith — Faith is in general the persuasion of the mind that a certain statement is true (Phil. 1:27; 2 Thess. 2:13). Its primary idea is trust. A thing is true, and therefore worthy of trust. It admits of many degrees up to full assurance of faith, in accordance with the evidence on which it rests. Faith is the result of teaching (Rom. 10:14-17). Knowledge is an essential element in all faith, and is sometimes spoken of as an equivalent to faith (John 10:38; 1 John 2:3). Yet the two are distinguished in this respect, that faith includes in it assent, which is an act ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Compassion and Sympathy of Christ, The — Necessary to his priestly office -- Heb 5:2,7. Manifested for the Weary and heavy-laden. -- Mt 11:28-30. Weak in faith. -- Isa 40:11; 42:3; Mt 12:20. Tempted. -- Heb 2:18. Afflicted. -- Lu 7:13; Joh 11:33,35. Diseased. -- Mt 14:14; Mr 1:41. Poor. -- Mr 8:2. Perishing sinners. -- Mt 9:36; Lu 19:41; Joh 3:16. An encouragement to prayer -- Heb 4:15.”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Prayer — The object of this article will be to touch briefly on-- + The doctrine of Scripture as to the nature and efficacy of prayer; + Its directions as to time, place and manner of prayer; + Its types and examples of prayer. + Scripture does not give any theoretical explanation of the mystery which attaches to prayer. The difficulty of understanding real efficacy arises chiefly from two sources: from the belief that man lives under general laws, which in all cases must be fulfilled unalterably; and the opposing belief that he is master of his own destiny, and need ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Persecution — Christ suffered -- Ps 69:26; Joh 5:16. Christ voluntarily submitted to -- Isa 50:6. Christ was patient under -- Isa 53:7. Saints may expect -- Mr 10:30; Lu 21:12; Joh 15:20. Saints suffer, for the sake of God -- Jer 15:15. Of saints, is a persecution of Christ -- Zec 2:8; Ac 9:4,5. All that live godly in Christ, shall suffer -- 2Ti 3:12. Originates Ignorance of God and Christ. -- Joh 16:3. Hated to God and Christ. -- Joh 15:20,24. Hatred to the gospel. -- Mt 13:21. Pride. -- Ps 10:2. Mistaken zeal. -- Ac 13:50; 26:9-11. Is inconsistent with the spirit o”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Long-Suffering of God, The — Is part of his character -- Ex 34:6; Nu 14:18; Ps 86:15. Salvation, the object of -- 2Pe 3:15. Through Christ's intercession -- Lu 13:8. Should lead to repentance -- Ro 2:4; 2Pe 3:9. An encouragement to repent -- Joe 2:13. Exhibited in forgiving sins -- Ro 3:25. Exercised toward His people. -- Isa 30:18; Eze 20:17. The wicked. -- Ro 9:22; 1Pe 3:20. Plead in prayer -- Jer 15:15. Limits set to -- Ge 6:3; Jer 44:22. The wicked Abuse. -- Ec 8:11; Mt 24:48,49. Despise. -- Ro 2:4. Punished for despising. -- Ne 9:30; Mt 24:48-51; Ro 2:5. Illustr”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Perseverance — An evidence of reconciliation with God -- Col 1:21-23. An evidence of belonging to Christ -- Joh 8:31; Heb 3:6,14. A characteristic of saints -- Pr 4:18. To be manifested in Seeking God. -- 1Ch 16:11. Waiting upon god. -- Ho 12:6. Prayer. -- Ro 12:12; Eph 6:18. Well-doing. -- Ro 2:7; 2Th 3:13. Continuing in the faith. -- Ac 14:22; Col 1:23; 2Ti 4:7. Holding fast hope. -- Heb 3:6. Maintained through The power of God. -- Ps 37:24; Php 1:6. The power of Christ. -- Joh 10:28. The intercession of Christ. -- Lu 22:31,32; Joh 17:11. The fear of God. -- Jer 32”
- 1 Thessalonians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Thessalonians 1:3: work of faith--the working reality of your faith; its alacrity in receiving the truth, and in evincing itself by its fruits. Not an otiose assent; but a realizing, working faith; not "in word only," but in one continuous chain of "work" (singular, not plural, works), Th1 1:5-10; Jam 2:22. So "the work of faith" in Th2 1:11 implies its perfect development (compare Jam 1:4). The other governing substantives similarly mark respectively the characteristic manifestation of the grace which follows each in the genitive. Faith, love, and hope, are the ”
- 1 Thessalonians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Thessalonians 3:3: 3:3 we are destined for such troubles: Suffering for the faith is often part of a Christian’s life (1:6; 2:14; Phil 1:29; 1 Pet 1:6; 2:21; 3:17; 4:19).”