Suffering in Leadership

“Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 2:3 NLT)

Suffering is a non-negotiable for leaders. It just comes with the territory. If you lead, you will suffer. The problem is that most Christians do not have a good theology of suffering. They have been told that Christ died and suffered for us so we don’t have to suffer. This leaves leaders disillusioned when they go through trials. They begin to question their faith, their calling, and even question God.

Often when we suffer, we assume we’ve done something wrong. Satan will try to convince us that we are suffering the consequences of our own failure and bad choices. Sometimes, this is true; we do reap what we sow. However, more times than often, we will suffer when we ARE obedient to the Lord’s direction. Look at how Paul suffered for his obedience to Christ (2 Corinthians 11:21-30).

Many leaders carry little weight or spiritual authority. Spiritual influence is forged in the fires of adversity. Ever been to Build a Bear, that store in the mall where you can make your own custom teddy bear? It starts with a lifeless sack of material until it is stuffed. It’s the stuffing that gives the bear its form and substance. If you want to be a leader of substance, you will go through some stuff.

Suffering gives leadership its true form and substance. Truth is, you cannot lead above your level of suffering. We cannot be a teacher of that which we have not been a student. We can only share the grace we have experienced. In fact, identifying with Christ’s suffering enables us to not just minister for Christ but to minister AS Christ. The latter is a much more profound form of leadership.

Having a good Biblical context for suffering will help us as we navigate the complexities of our struggles and actually strengthen our faith and our resolve to keep leading.

8 BIBLICAL REASONS FOR SUFFERING

1. Suffering is the PRICE of leadership.

“Then Jesus told his disciples, “if anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24 ESV)

2. Suffering is the mark of SONSHIP.

“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. for the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives. It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.” (Hebrews 12:5-8 ESV)

3. Suffering is not OPTIONAL.

“Indeed, all who desire to live a Godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (2 Timothy 3:12 ESV)

4. Suffering produces spiritual FRUIT.

“We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” (Romans 5:3-4 NIV)

5. Suffering is for our BENEFIT.

“Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish.” (Isaiah 38:17 NIV)

6. Suffering is a GIFT.

“It has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him,” (Philippians 1:29 NIV)

7. Suffering is our PLATFORM.

“Blessed be the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. for as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-7 ESV)

8. Suffering DEEPENS our relationship with Jesus.

“That I may know him and the power of his resurrection AND the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death.” (Philippians 3:10 NASB)