The Mirror of the Word and other works by C.E. White can be purchased on her website, cewhitebooks.com or on Amazon.

“So that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the praetorian guard and to everyone else, and that most of the brothers and sisters, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.”

—Philippians 1:13–14

What does it look like to others when we suffer? Does it look like we’ve bound ourselves to Christ and believe that the suffering in our path will be used for his glory? Or does it look exactly like the world deals with suffering—in hopelessness, anger, confusion, overwhelm, and bitterness?

Would our attitude in imprisonment bring others to trust God or push them away from faith?

As Christians, our suffering should look different than the world’s. We don’t have to pretend we’re enjoying it, but where others can see our strength and hope in the midst of difficulty, it will encourage and inspire them to overcome as well. It will show that our hope truly is in the Lord and not in what this world has to offer.

Paul’s suffering didn’t look hopeless nor inspire fear. Instead, it showed the power and truth of the Gospel he suffered for, and those around him were encouraged to greater trust in the Lord and more boldness to speak the Word—the very things which caused Paul’s suffering in the first place.

Our confidence in the Lord even in our suffering will shine as a beacon of relentless hope to others, and our example will press them to a deeper trust in God that strengthens them and leads them to a heroic pursuit of his will even in their own sufferings.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download