I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, (Philippians 3:10 NIV)

Do you remember the tin man from the movie, The Wizard of Oz? With each painful step I took, I felt like someone needed to oil my joints, like they did for the tin man. But I didn’t have an oil can, nor did I have any way to lubricate my stiff joints. All I could do was cry, “Help me, Lord!”

After a few laps down the hallway and through the kitchen, I worked the stiffness out.

On many of my most grievous days, I thought of the crown of thorns piercing the head of my Savior. I thought of the agony He endured as spikes were hammered into His hands and feet. He endured all that pain for me and you, my friend.

Many times, I turned to distractions during the worst hours of my pain. If the Hallmark channel didn’t have a good movie on, I read. I found myself reading the best-seller of all time most, the Bible. What better words to read to take my mind off the horrific pain.

As I landed on this verse, I meditated on it for a while, and then I studied it further.

I want to know Christ

Don’t hurry past this statement. It doesn’t mean to gain more head knowledge about Christ. The Greek word for know implies an experiential knowledge. It’s the kind of knowledge that comes from spending time with Christ. It means we have to hang out with Him.

Know the power of His resurrection

When God saved us, the Holy Spirit immediately took up residence within us. We have that same resurrection power living within us through the power of the Holy Spirit. Christ brought us from death to life. We were dead in our sins, but now we live because Christ lives.

Participation in His sufferings

I paused on this line. I’m suffering, but not as bad as Christ suffered on the cross. How do we participate in His sufferings? While we live in the agony of physical or emotional pain, Christ draws closer to us. Until we walk through pain, we will not know these particular gifts of comfort that Christ gives us. Pain draws us to Christ like a magnet

While He draws me to Himself, I feel His closeness. I learn to lean on Him like never before. I see His miracles. I know Him in a deeper sense.

Becoming like Him in His death

One day, we will see Christ face-to-face. We will receive glorified bodies We will be resurrected from the dead when Christ takes us to our forever home.

Friend, I know we don’t want to hurt, physically or emotionally. If you happen to be suffering take advantage of this unique time. This is the silver lining in our suffering. Our confidence is in Christ. For a strong faith, we must know Him, know the power of His resurrection, participate in His sufferings, and one day, wake up like Him.

Lord Jesus, thank You that You have tasted pain and suffering. You felt it while You lived here. Thank You that through pain, I can come to know You even more. Amen.

DIG DEEPER

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. (Hebrews 4:15 NIV)

HIKING THE TRAIL

In order to know Christ more, we must invest time in prayer and Bible study. I hear you. You don’t have enough time in the day already, but if you can sacrifice ten minutes daily, the blessing may make the rest of your day smoother. Can you make that sacrifice?

RELATED RESOURCE

Seasons of suffering require specific Scriptures. Ones that encourage us to persevere. Check out this resource to help you overcome your suffering. Click here.

Originally posted on January 16, 2023 @ 2:00 am