Jesus modeled it for us. He showed us that suffering isn’t something that we should shy away from. He didn’t run from suffering, He accepted it. Even more than accept, He embraced it. He desired it. Not for the sake of suffering, but for fruit it would bear not only in Him, but in the lives of those who followed Him.
“For Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous, that he might lead you to God.”
~ 1 Peter 3:18
His whole purpose was to lead us to God. He was successful even in His suffering. In fact, St. Peter seems to say it is because of His suffering that He was successful. Do you agree?
All Good Leaders Suffer
All leaders suffer, well at least all successful leaders. Husbands and wives suffer in the sense that they give their lives for the sake of their spouse. Parents suffer by living for their children, doing away with their selfish, self-centered lifestyles. Priests suffer by dedicating themselves 100% to the service of the People of God.
However, we see here that their suffering isn’t an unbearable burden. Spouses embrace their suffering. Parents rejoice in their suffering. Priests and pastors find joy in their suffering. Not for suffering’s sake, but for the fruit it bears in their lives and the lives of those whom they lead.
Suffering hurts. It’s not easy. It shouldn’t be, because it is essentially death. Remember, Jesus challenges us to die to ourselves and to live for Him and His Kingdom. Every time you put someone else first. Every time you challenge yourself to step outside of yourself. Every time you do something you don’t feel like doing, but do it anyway for the sake of love. Every time you hold back your negative response and offer instead a smile. Every time you go out of your way to do something for somebody else.
That’s love. But it’s also suffering. And love hurts. But the more you do it, the less it hurts and the more it begins to fill us with joy. And the more you do it, especially as a leader, you will begin to find joy in your leadership and reap the fruits of your suffering in the lives of those you lead.
Question: How has your suffering born fruit in the lives of those you lead? Do you find yourself running away from suffering or embracing it?