Rejoice in Suffering: Finding Joy in the Hard Places

“Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church.” — Colossians 1:24 (ESV)

The Apostle Paul, a man of deep faith and unwavering dedication to his mission and to serving others, endured incredible suffering throughout his life. He faced public ridicule, was driven out of towns, and was severely tortured, stoned, starved, and imprisoned. Yet in the midst of these hardships, he chose to rejoice. Who in their right mind would rejoice during such suffering? What could possibly motivate Paul to respond this way?

Before we explore his reasons, a quick word on a confusing phrase: “filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions.” Paul isn't saying Jesus's sacrifice fell short — Colossians makes clear that Christ's work on the cross is complete and final; nothing is lacking in what He accomplished. Paul simply means that when he suffers for Jesus, he is walking the same road his Savior walked.

So how can Paul rejoice in such suffering? Because in it, he is following his Savior — doing as Jesus did, serving Jesus, and becoming like Him in his own suffering. That truth shows up in his life in several ways:

1. A Servant's Heart: Paul saw his suffering as a way to serve Christ. He recognized that Jesus had sacrificed and suffered for him, and in response, he felt compelled to do the same for Christ's sake.

2. A Connection with Christ: Paul understood that his suffering enabled him to connect more intimately with Christ (Philippians 3:10). In his pain, he experienced a deeper fellowship with the Savior.

3. A Blessing to the Church: Paul saw that his suffering wasn't in vain — it served and strengthened the people he loved. Enduring hardship for the good of the body was something he could offer the church.

4. A Fulfillment of His Calling: Paul knew that suffering came with the mission God had given him. To shrink from it would be to shrink from his calling; to endure it was simple obedience.

Here's what this means for us. Paul's reasons aren't unique to him — they're open to every follower of Jesus. When your suffering comes because you belong to Christ, it isn't meaningless pain — it's a doorway to Christlikeness. You're doing what He did by serving Him, blessing His people, and being shaped into His likeness. The pain is still real, but it's no longer a dead end — it's a place where you're being drawn closer to your Savior. And that is something you can truly rejoice in.

Big Idea

Suffering is an inevitable part of life. But when we suffer because we belong to Christ, the pain becomes a doorway to Christlikeness — and that is where real joy in suffering is found.

Questions to Ponder

When suffering comes, is your first instinct to look for a way out — or to look for God in it? Are you willing to walk the road Paul walked: to follow Jesus into the hard places, serve Him there, and let the suffering make you more like Him? When the pain is sharp, can you trust that it isn't wasted — that God is using it to draw you closer to Himself? What could you do, in that moment, to hold onto that truth?

Application

With your journal in hand, name one area of suffering you're carrying right now. Bring it to the Lord and honestly ask where it's coming from — is it for His sake, the result of your own choices, or simply the weight of a broken world? Resist the urge to answer with shame; let Him show you without the noise. Then, whatever the source, trade the question “How do I get out of this?” for a better one: “Lord, how do You want to meet me here, and what do You want to do in and through me?” Write down one way you can surrender this suffering to Him today — one place where you can choose trust over escape. Then ask Him to show you the next faithful step, so you can walk through this the way Paul did. And remember, joy in suffering isn't pretending it doesn't hurt; it's knowing Whose hands you're in while it does.