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SUFFERING FOR THE SINS OF OTHERS: COUNT IT ALL JOY (TRADING MY SORROWS)
It is sometimes the case that a Christian is forced to go through some seriously bad stuff not because of his or her own sin but due to the evil of others.
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BEING SPIRITUALLY VULNERABLE
It is not exactly the same as being utterly defenseless though these two words are seen as synonymous. I would not think the Lord ever leaves His children completely defenseless in that He is always there watching over them. Any good parent always does his or her best to protect one’s children. The Scripture is clear:
“I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you” [Hebrews 13:5]
PAUL
However, we also have several Scriptural examples that such a promise appears untrue, especially during the worst of times when it seems as though God has checked out or is a million miles away. Every mature Christian has experienced this, many on multiple occasions, and a probable few as part of a discipleship lifestyle. One may be reminded of the life of the apostle Paul, for example, when it seems as though the poor man was always getting beat up, trashed, and run out of town. Paul’s ministry differs from the Lord’s in such a respect as there is no record that the Lord Jesus ever had a hand laid on Him until the time of His ultimate suffering and death.
So, why was Paul so vulnerable? Why didn’t God protect him? Why did he have to suffer such extreme persecution? For starters we know the New Testament states that persecution is a given, will happen, is a byproduct of spiritual warfare, and there is nothing to be done about it. It occurs because people are given a free will. When people exercise their free will for evil purposes then evil will certainly happen and does. The devil, however, never physically laid a hand on Paul though it can be construed that someone inflicting pain on him was possessed by the devil. We know Paul once wrote, “There was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me” (2Corinthians 12:7 KJV). This is an indication of physical suffering brought on by a demonic entity but does not necessarily fall into the category of persecution. The point is that it was not usually demonic entities but human beings who were responsible for Paul’s persecution, though such people could have been and likely were possessed by some such foul spirit.
The reason I am keying on Paul here is because of his unique position and standing as a zealous Hebrew of Hebrews:
…For we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh, although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee… [Philippians 3:3-5]
Prior to his conversion, Paul was perhaps the greatest representation of a powerfully strident Pharisee determined to invoke and follow what he believed was the apparent epitome of OT Scriptural teaching and doctrine who expressed no fear whatsoever toward the carrying out of what he deemed his official duty. His fellows knew very well who he was and the power of personality he held. Though likely less than five feet tall he was an otherwise ultra-feisty banty rooster one would not want to mess with. He had a fire in his gut pretty much unmatched by no one.
Because of his unique position within his religious crowd and the stature he held (along with the possible fact that he was meant to be the twelfth apostle but declined) the Lord reverted to extra steps to secure Paul’s conversion. When the Lord was successful in this and Paul submitted to Him, he instantly became public enemy number one. His former crowd would never forgive him. He was made a target early on and suffered through repeated assassination attempts. He was simply far too important a person in his nation in general and Pharisaism in particular to not be seen as a great loss and a prize for their avowed enemy—Christianity.
This does not mean he was special compared to other believers or more important, however, because every believer fills a niche no one else can, can do work no one else can, and reach particular people with the Gospel no one else can. What can certainly be discerned, though, is that Paul would have a lifetime great price to pay in that his spiritual vulnerability would be illustrated at the highest of levels but this only proved his great effectiveness as a disciple as well.
JOSEPH
A well-known Old Testament example of the innocent suffering for others is Jacob’s son Joseph. This young man had a heart for God and righteousness and through no fault of his own was rudely removed from a great life with his family and close relationship with his father. His young life was effectively destroyed. One can only imagine the great pain Joseph felt at being betrayed by his own and thrust into a hard difficult life surrounded by the uncaring and brutal who had no knowledge of who he was or concern if they did.
He had become highly vulnerable to the enemy and whims of humanity but it was all for a specific purpose which no other man could have had or performed.
The good news is that Joseph fulfilled God’s plan, as hard and little understood as it was early on. He submitted wholeheartedly and served as an effective savior of his family, his nascent nation in the making. Without Joseph’s sacrifice there would be no Israelite nation and no resultant Messiah and Savior of the world.
TRADING MY SORROWS
This is the title of a popular worship song from several years ago. It was written on the fly in a church service by Darrell Evans in 1997 and has long since gone worldwide enjoyed by multiple millions. If you are not aware of this song or haven’t heard it in a while I encourage you to look it up. The lyrics are based in part on a passage of Scripture from 2Corinthians:
I’m trading my sorrows
I’m trading my shame
I’m laying them down for the joy of the Lord
I’m trading my sickness
I’m trading my pain
I’m laying them down for the joy of the Lord
Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord Amen…
I am pressed but not crushed
Persecuted not abandoned
Struck down but not destroyed
I am blessed beyond the curse
For His promise will endure
And His joy’s gonna be my strength
Though the sorrow may last for the night
His joy comes with the morning
I’m trading my sorrows…[1]
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death works in us, but life in you. [2Corinthians 4:7-12] [3]
And later on into the future as these new believers ministered to by Paul become spiritually mature, death will begin working in them also so life can live in others.
TWO SUFFERINGS
These distinct forms of suffering experienced by real believers have their purposeful origin in the life of the Lord. As the apostle Paul wrote, “we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake.” The mature Christians of that time were therefore subjected to a spiritual suffering meant as a purposeful and effective means of ministry which somehow resulted in spiritual life for others. And though this suffering may have appeared as a violation of the Lord’s protection and fidelity, it was actually necessary to birth new life not at all unlike a woman delivering a child.
The second form is suffering due to the sins of others. Many Christians have suffered large losses in life because of those choosing to act out willfully in an evil manner. Excellent reputations have been maligned by malicious gossip. Many have had their lives demolished by unrepentant Judases stubbornly and selfishly insistent on having their own way. Many other righteous ones have actually been murdered. As such events were allowed by God it means they were in accordance with His allowable will. The victims of these attacks certainly knew they were essentially unprotected and even betrayed but not by God.
We must remember that the Lord Jesus Himself went through the worst persecution and suffering of anyone and was brutally killed. But it did not mean He was abandoned or forsaken even though He certainly felt that way for a moment while on the cross. Rather than be defeated by His suffering, however, He was the great Victor through it! His example must therefore encourage us to continue fighting the good fight of faith regardless of circumstances.
Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. [Hebrews 12:2-3]
What we must remember is that He was soon removed from the cross and three days later resurrected to new life. Whatever suffering we may go through, therefore, has its limits and is temporary. And if a disciple went through it in faith and obedience, completing the course as it were, something truly wonderful, miraculous, and life-changing occurred in another or maybe several others, as well as bringing a great benefit to the sufferer. The New Testament clearly explains these things and gives many examples. It is simply all a part of real Christian ministry and the lives of those who love the Lord.
Therefore, let us all know and acknowledge that though—
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed
Perplexed, but not despairing
Persecuted, but not forsaken
Struck down, but not destroyed
—We can joyfully sing:
Though the sorrow may last for the night
His joy comes with the morning!
I’m trading my sorrows
I’m trading my shame
I’m laying them down for the joy of the Lord!
I’m trading my sickness
I’m trading my pain
I’m laying them down for the joy of the Lord! [2]
© 2025 by RJ Dawson. All Rights Reserved.
[3] Unless otherwise noted all Scriptures are taken from the New American Standard Bible, © 1960, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
Everybody Must Get Stoned: Reaping the Reward of Spiritual Attack
I remember in my late teens I became a big fan of Walt Whitman, the 19th century poet. The man pretty much invented what became known as “free verse.” He called his poems songs. Some were very long, as if he were writing poems as prose. I am currently writing from memory, as something is telling me not to spoil it by looking up the actual poems, etc, and to simply write what I recall. Maybe it will give this post a closer and more intimate feel.
But there was a poem he wrote called something like When I Heard the Learned Astronomer. Walt Whitman was at a lecture. Remember, this was about 150 years ago. The gist of the poem was about this astute scientist droning on about the intricacies of the Universe and his calculations and a bunch of intellectual claptrap, while Whitman finally had enough and was thinking, “Man, how can you take all the beauty and wonder of the crystal clear night skies, and the bright stars, and planets, and the moon…
There is a big and bright full moon hanging in the sky as I write this, and it defies intellectual introspection, and I think the Creator wants us to just appreciate it, and wonder, and not have our simple minds all clouded over and crammed with relatively useless mathematical garbage about the moon, and simply appreciate the celestial glory…
This is what Whitman ended up saying in that particular poem he wrote so long ago. Again, I haven’t read it in what must be decades, but I saw the full moon tonight. I went outside for a while a few minutes ago and was bathed in its light. And I saw the clear sky, and the stars. And I thought about what Whitman was trying to say…
We do the same things as Christians in preaching or teaching the Lord’s Gospel, or whatever it is that we do. We have a tendency, and I am certainly guilty, of focusing on the intellectual, and the spiritual math, and the exact word studies. Now, all of this is quite necessary and the Lord blessed me with the anointing to do this many moons ago, and I do it, and I love it. But I am trying to reach a balance with this post…
You see, spiritual things often cannot be diagrammed and spelled out and made sense of, and are often the epitome of the counterintuitive. This is especially true of spiritual warfare and attacks which many times come by complete surprise and out of the blue. Would that we could set up war plans like military planners and know our enemy to the point that we know what’s coming, but this is rarely the case. Spiritual attacks usually come out of nowhere and the only real defense is staying as close as possible to the Lord so we will at least be strong enough to take the hit.
The point here is that sometimes the devil’s a snake. At other times he smells blood like a shark and rushes in for the kill. Often, after having to undergo this kind of stuff, it makes you think, “What the hell?” Then we remember the Lord, and his original twelve, and all the other disciples from that time, and the early community of the Lord in Jerusalem and throughout an evil world and the undeserved pain they all had to suffer. And we can relate. We’re therefore fortunate to be able to relate.
[Incidentally, the Last Days plan is beginning to accelerate, and a relatively quick rise of great hatred for real Christians in America is starting. Be prepared. As I wrote in Real Christianity twenty years ago, bloody persecution is coming to this country. Most did not believe it then. Most Christians are still so out of touch they still don’t believe it, or perceive it. But again, be prepared.]
As James wrote (pretty sure it was James, or John—remember, I’m not doing my usual checking and ultra-editing and whatnot, I’m just writing my thoughts as they occur), he wrote something about real Christians getting blamed for things they are not guilty of, and suffering undeservedly, and saying it is a good thing. He taught that it was spiritually good for us to get slammed for no good reason, but only because a devil got stirred up and saw an opening and attacked. In other words, the very essence of persecution is being hated without a cause.
The Lord said this about Himself. He taught it, that it was something His disciples would go through. He also taught that there would be times when such slamming happens when no one who should will back you, or come to your rescue, or fight back for you on your behalf, but just kind of stay uninvolved. I know there are some of you reading this who can relate. Sometimes the spiritual attack is so severe and so unwarranted our brothers and sisters and friends keep their distance. Again, it happened to the Lord many times. In His greatest time of need His friends were nowhere to be found. Most people had decided He was guilty and was merely getting what He deserved.
One time, after a particular teaching, many of His followers walked out on Him, and He said to those who remained, “Will you leave Me too?”
Imagine that. This is God we’re talking about. Again, I know some of you reading this can relate. You know what it’s like to be left on your own, wounded, to fend for yourself. Of course, we’re not alone. We’re never alone. The Lord is there, especially in those kinds of times. But it’s still hard. It’s the kind of thing that drives one to the ground.
I remember a former pastor, long ago, preaching about this. He was talking about a pain so great but you can’t confront anybody. You can’t fight back. The devil is pouring it on. He was talking about falling to the floor in prayer in his bedroom, and managing to crawl into the closet, and crawling way back there in the back, all the way back to the hunting boots, and crying out to God.
It happens. It’s the nature of spiritual battle. But joy comes in the morning. Or maybe a few days later. Or something. But if we handle it right the Lord always works it out. It makes no sense in the natural, just like some egghead drawing circles and mathematical formulas on a chalkboard does absolutely no justice to the wonders of the night sky.
By the way, though the great masses of traditional Christianity have already celebrated their “Easter” almost a month ago, we are presently on the eve of Passover. We crossed over the Jordan River on Monday. It is also Nisan 14, the time on the Lord’s calendar of His passion—His undeserved suffering—and His crucifixion. He paid the price. He never retaliated. He let them slam Him.
And this year He is once again doing it alone, since, as I said, the vast majority of Christians jumped the gun last month because they’re following a meaningless Gregorian calendar invented by an egghead theologian who ironically invented an anti-celestial calendar that has no bearing on what’s going on in the sky or the Spirit.
The Lord’s undeserved suffering puts things in proper spiritual perspective. Everything He did He did for our benefit, even for the times when we must share in His suffering with suffering of our own. Such times are great opportunities for gaining spiritual ground and reaping rewards. His own death proves this. There could be no glorious resurrection otherwise.
And because He rose again to new life so will you, and so will I, and so will we all—those of us who count ourselves as His real disciples and live to tell about it, even if we die in the process.
© 2016 by RJ Dawson. All Rights Reserved.
Embracing Suffering
Though the Lord has always provided a place for me to stay, I have been essentially homeless for seven years. I put my house on the market seven years ago this month and began living out of a suitcase.
I’m still living out of a suitcase.
My house sold three and a half months later. I only got two legitimate offers. The Lord told me what the final selling price would be at least a month before.
About that time, things were looking so bleak my realtor called to advise me it would probably be best to take it off the market. This was devastating news, especially since he was such an upbeat and optimistic guy. It was really bad news among an entire shipload of bad news. My life had by that time come completely apart but I kept manning the helm and being responsible. My heart was destroyed. I really don’t know how in the world I ever got through it all.
When I received that phone call from my realtor I was out of town, pretty far away, and was making inquiries into a new job and a whole new life. It just so happened I was in the office of the friend of a friend at the end of the day, just visiting. There were four of us. After exiting to take the call I went back into the room and told the others. This was a crisis point. It was one of those things where you either got it right and won a spiritual victory or lost it all. Everything was on the line.
The good news is these were godly men who knew how to pray. One of them had been on his deathbed in the hospital several years before with a very bad heart condition. He should have died but through the powerful prayers and faith of saints God healed his heart and raised him up. This man was always smiling. He wanted me to feel his grip and it was very strong. He was without doubt a living testimony to God’s greatness and love.
I asked him to lead a prayer. Four men stood in a circle in that office holding hands. Eyes were closed. We began to pray. In the midst of the prayer a miracle happened. I suddenly had 100% faith. My whole former life was quickly coming undone but I suddenly had the faith that my house would sell. I had been very positive about the process before but this was different.
God told me in no uncertain terms that the house would sell.
I must reiterate the fact that the house had to sell, and sell quickly, or nothing else would have worked. Bad news was stacked up against me like backed-up cars on a freeway.
After the prayer I quickly called my realtor and told him we were going full speed ahead and to keep working the deal. Exactly one month later on the exact day of the month I closed on the house at the exact price the Lord had told me about before. The selling price was not my asking price and there were counter offers, but everything got done just the way the Lord told me it would. Not only that, but it went right down to the wire. The closer we got to what would be the closing date the more it appeared that the house would never sell. The pressure increased dramatically. Everything hinged on the sale. But I had complete and total peace in my heart regardless of the negative circumstances because I knew what God had said. I kept telling others that it would be okay, that the house would sell, and that it would all work out.
This was not blind faith. It was pure faith. After that prayer with three godly men the Lord told me what would happen and I was merely acting on what He said. I had to keep the faith, of course. And I had to maintain the course. And I did.
It was an extremely difficult time. Everything was hitting me at once. Suffering seemed to be far too light of a word.
This brings me to the point of this article. There are times we have to embrace suffering no matter how counter-intuitive it may appear to be. On a related front, psychologists talk of “going back into the wound” (as painful and apparently stupid that sounds), or healing can never take place. It’s like going through powerful white water rapids in a wimpy canoe with no surface guarantee of coming out alive on the other side.
It is like going into the belly of the beast.
The counter-intuitive nature of spiritual suffering most often causes us to reject it and stay clear of its embrace. But the Word of God clearly states:
For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer; and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of our comfort.
For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead; who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us, you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many. [2 Corinthians 1:5-11] [1]
Sometimes the pain is so great it does indeed appear unbearable. Sometimes we reach a point, like the apostle Paul, in which we despair of life itself. Sometimes the suffering is such that we consider life no longer worth living. But just as the sun goes down and brings on many hours of darkness, the sun will rise again. The long dark night will be over. The Comforter will come.
The Lord rose again.
We will rise again.
© 2012 by RJ Dawson. All Rights Reserved.
[1] Unless otherwise noted all Scriptures are taken from the New American Standard Bible, © 1960, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
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