Modelling a life of witness in the face of suffering.

^“You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.” Thessalonians 1:6-7-NIV

Faith in Seasons of Suffering: A Christian Response

When the war first erupted in Ukraine, many mothers wrote their contact information on their children’s bodies—just in case they got separated. That image speaks volumes about the depth of fear, uncertainty, and helplessness that can flood a person’s heart in times of crisis. Today, many parts of the world are still facing the ripple effects of such global turmoil. From economic recessions to energy shortages and rising instability, people are enduring real pain—pain that can feel overwhelming and beyond their control.

As followers of Christ, how are we called to respond in times like these? Are you yourself experiencing pain, rejection, brokenness, or perhaps walking with someone else who is?

The reality of “lostness” in our world is not new. Jesus Himself spoke of it through parables—the lost sheep, the lost coin, the lost son—each story pointing to the effects of the fall: sin, suffering, and separation from God.

The Apostle Paul, no stranger to hardship, wrote his first letter to the Thessalonians to encourage friends who were facing deep suffering. In 1 Thessalonians 1:6–7, he praises their faith, saying they welcomed the message amid severe suffering with joy given by the Holy Spirit. Paul and Jesus became models for them—and now for us—on how to live faithfully through suffering.

There are two powerful lessons we can draw from this passage:

1. Suffering Can Strengthen Our Faith
Hardship is part of the human experience—and for Christians, it often deepens our dependence on God. Paul encourages us to view these seasons from a spiritual perspective: God is still sovereign. Even when we don’t understand the “why,” we can trust that He is at work in ways we cannot see. Through His Spirit, He gives us strength, peace, and assurance, even in the middle of our questions and tears.

2. Our Response to Suffering Is a Witness
Paul highlights the importance of how we respond to difficult times. Our faithfulness becomes a testimony to others of God’s unchanging character. We are not promised a life free of pain, but we are promised that God is with us—and that He redeems what is broken. Even when evil seems to surround us, we know God is not its author, but the One who brings hope, healing, and transformation.

In seasons of suffering, we are invited to look to those who have gone before us and to be inspired by their faith. Their endurance reminds us that God’s Spirit can fill us with joy even in sorrow.

The Church, in times of trial, becomes a living expression of Christ. As Paul puts it, we model a life of witness in suffering—not by escaping pain, but by enduring it with faith, hope, and love.