REJOICING IN SUFFERING

Who in their right mind rejoices in suffering? The Apostle Paul did — beaten, jailed, and driven from town after town, yet full of joy. In this episode, Blake opens Colossians 1:24 to ask what Paul saw that we so often miss.First, a careful word on that puzzling phrase, “filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions” — Paul is not saying Jesus's work fell short. Then Blake walks through why Paul could rejoice: because in his suffering he was following his Savior — serving Him, blessing His church, and being shaped into His likeness. The heart of it: when our suffering comes because we belong to Christ, it isn't meaningless pain but a doorway to Christlikeness, and a place where joy is possible.Follow Before the Lord on Facebook (@BeforeTheLord) and Instagram (@beforethelorddevo). Get devotionals delivered to your inbox at blakescrawford.com/sign-up, or listen anytime at blakescrawford.com/listen. Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and iHeart.