The subject of suffering, though unpleasant to contemplate or experience, is a recurring theme in the gospels and epistles. Peter asserts that Christians are called to suffer, an aspect of our calling that, while far from enjoyable, remains part of the present order. Responding to God's call does not eliminate suffering, but it transforms the reason for it and what can be achieved through it. The epitome of suffering is exemplified by Jesus Christ, whose experience was supreme in scope and intensity. Hebrews 2:9-10 provides insight into the purpose and effects of His suffering, revealing that Jesus offered up prayers and supplications with vehement cries and tears, pouring out His mind and heart to the Father, who had the power to help. Despite His heartfelt petitions, the Father deemed it fitting for the suffering to occur, not saving Jesus from death at that moment, though He ultimately saved Him from eternal death by resurrection.

We often lose sight of our awesome goal as we slog through the daily trials of life. When we are surrounded by difficulties, we forget that we are in training to become members of the God Family. Trials can be a valuable tool to maintain equilibrium by keeping our focus on the prize ahead. Romans 8:28 assures us that everything that happens fits into a pattern for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose. Even in the midst of affliction, we must remember that God is in charge, and these trials are part of the maturing process as we work toward the Kingdom. They are God-ordained, woven into His plan for our ultimate good. Emotionally, we struggle with the purpose of suffering, questioning how such pain can be for our good. Yet, we must repeatedly affirm that God knows what He is doing, and there is no gray area—either He is working with us, or He is not. If we see God in our lives, it is because He is actively shaping us according to His plan. Trials can bring us closer to God and to each other, but if we lose focus, they can also drive a wedge into those relationships. Psalm 119:67 reminds us that before affliction, we may go astray, but through it, we learn to keep His word. James 1:12 offers encouragement, declaring that blessed is the man who endures trial, for when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life promised to those who love Him. Romans 8:17-18 further consoles us, stating that if we suffer with Christ, we may also be glorified together with Him, and the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us. Difficulties will come and go, but for those who love God and are called according to His plan, every event is part of a pattern for good, preparing us for the Millennium and the eternal Kingdom of God, where there will be no more pain.

Through His earthly life, Jesus Christ learned obedience by the things which He suffered, as described in Hebrews 5:7-10. Though He was the Son, His prime position did not automatically qualify Him to be our High Priest; it was through His manifold sufferings that He was made complete and fully ready for this role. He was willing to learn experientially what it means to obey, even under intense pain and hardship, submitting to God's will through daily trials. By becoming personally acquainted with suffering to a degree unmatched by any of His spiritual siblings, He became perfect for the role of High Priest, able to intercede before God with complete understanding on our behalf. Jesus learned not only obedience but also the wretched consequences of man's disobedience, experiencing firsthand the suffering that follows deviation from God's superior way of life. His sorrows, as Isaiah 53:3 notes, were not limited to the physical agony of crucifixion but began long before, encompassing rejection by His own people, misunderstanding by His family, and anguish over the faithlessness and hardness of heart He encountered. He grieved over unbelief, ingratitude, and rebellion, felt the pain of betrayal by Judas, and suffered abandonment by His closest companions. The profound torment of bearing humanity's sins on His sinless self, and the ultimate misery of separation from the Father, marked His deepest anguish, evident in His cry, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" Even the Father is not immune to anguish, sharing in the grief of rejection and disobedience by His creation. As the plural yet singular elohim, if one was grieved or despised, both endured it. The Father had to forsake His beloved Companion, Jesus, and endure the separation of death, suffering from the evil effects of human sin alongside His Son.