“For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him.” -Philippians 1:29
I was watching a video on YouTube about a young woman battling cancer. During this interview, the young woman made a statement that rocked me to my core.As she shared on the importance of her faith during her battle with cancer, she stated she was honored that God would choose her to experience the disease so that his glory could shine through her in the midst of it.
Her statement helped me to put so many things into perspective. It helped me to realize God allows us to experience trials so his glory can shine in the midst of them. God specifically hand-picked you to experience certain hardships just so his glory could be displayed in and through you.
This may seem like a hard pill to swallow, especially if you are in the midst of a seemingly hopeless situation. It may also seem difficult to grasp in a society that equates connection with God to success; the “blessed and highly favored” generation that often forgets God is also the God of, “suffer then reign” (2 Timothy 2:12).
While in the middle of my trials I found myself hiding, feeling embarrassed and ashamed. My ego and pride were determined to take over my thoughts and emotions. I’m standing firm on God’s word during my alone time with him and instantly thrown into defense mode if I felt judged. It bothered me that the opinions of others who felt qualified to offer an opinion without knowing my whole story could shake me so easily. I spent so much time trying to prove myself that I was robbing God of the glory he intended to receive by hand picking me for this experience.
We cannot just glorify God when our troubles seem to be over. We have to learn to glorify God in the midst of them.
Philippians 1:29 says that we have been given the privilege of not only trusting Christ but the privilege of suffering for him. Knowing Christ is a blessing. Becoming one with him in our suffering is an even greater blessing.
Maybe I should add that Paul was in prison for spreading the Gospel when he wrote this…
Remember, how you go through your trials matters to God. Allow them to develop your character and deepen your relationship with Christ. Embrace the lessons God wants to teach you in the midst of your suffering. Thank God for sending Jesus to suffer the ultimate punishment for our sins. He is the perfect model of grace under fire.
“In his kindness, God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you and he will place you on a firm foundation. All power to him forever! Amen.” I Peter 5:10-11.
Different by Design 
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