God chooses and saves men in different ways. Sometimes God finds men directly and some seek God themselves because of sufferings. Here are 7 benefits of sufferings from the story that Jesus heals the official's son in Book of John.
1. Sufferings humble men.
Scripture: John 4:46 Once more he visited Cana in Galilee, where he had turned the water into wine. And there was a certain royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum. (NIV)
The official at Capernaum was a man of authority but he couldn't let his son be not sick. One day his son who he loved was sick, dying while he was not able to help his son. People in prosperity can be proud and think they are able, but they see their weakness in sufferings. Sufferings humble people. The official had to bow down to ask a carpenter named Jesus.
2. Sufferings bring people to God.
Scripture: John 4:47 When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death. (NIV)
Cana was about 40 miles away from Capernaum, a long distance under the circumstance of walking and animals as the main transportation tools. But the official didn't mind it, walking 40 miles to beg Jesus because he believed that Jesus could heal his son.
3. Sufferings increase our faith.
Scripture: John 4:48-50 "Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders," Jesus told him, "you will never believe." The royal official said, "Sir, come down before my child dies." Jesus replied, "You may go. Your son will live." The man took Jesus at his word and departed. (NIV)
Instead of going with the official to Capernaum under his request, Jesus gave him a word, "you may go. You son will live." The official didn't turn disappointed for getting just a word but believed in Jesus' word and went back. Sufferings increased his faith: Jesus could heal his son without going.
4. Sufferings make people experience miracles.
John 4: 51-52 While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living. When he inquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, "The fever left him yesterday at the seventh hour." (NIV)
When he was still on the way, his servants told him his boy was living. Believe that you have received it, you shall have that. The official experienced the miracle that his boy was healed.
5. Sufferings make people know the power of God.
Scripture: John 4:53 Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, "Your son will live." So he and all his household believed. (NIV)
The time Jesus said his son would live was when his son was healed because God's word transcends time. He knew God's great power so he and his household believed. Faith saved his family.
6. Sufferings made the official know himself.
The sufferings made the official know his limitation and incapacity. People can only suffer when facing sufferings.
7. The story of the healing helps more people know God's power and see the faith of the official.
So dear brothers and sisters, can't you say that sufferings are make-up blessings?
