In some of the toughest times of my life I found consolation in identifying with the sufferings of Christ who had come to be in full solidarity with mine. This is the fellowship of suffering. The people who have suffered with you will be closer to you than those with whom you have laughed. There is a fellowship of suffering that produces a deep intimacy, a deep knowing. To rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep (Romans 12:15) is true Christlikeness; this is incarnational living. The churches who know how to do this will have an eternal impact. Individuals who do this will be true witnesses. Go put your arms around the suffering souls, identify with them, weep with them and see if both you and the church start to experience resurrection.
“That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.” Philippians 3:10-11 (NASB)
