Overcoming SufferingSample

Suffering Glorifies God

Recently, most of the hockey world was glued to their screens when Alex Ovechkin was getting ready to score his 895th goal.

Up to that point, Wayne Gretzky had held the all-time record for most goals with 894, a record no one thought could ever be beaten.

Could Ovi do it? Could he surpass the Great One, number 99, in all-time goals scored?

Sure enough, on April 6th, 2025, seven and a half minutes into the second period, the puck slid across the ice to Ovi. He launched a laser slap shot into the net and immediately entered the history books.

It was a moment of personal glory.

He skated down the ice and dove on his stomach, sliding thirty or forty feet like a little kid.

This is what I think about when I think of glory: People cheering, faces smiling, parties rocking.

But then I read John chapter 12. Jesus said this:

“The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.” (John 12:23, NIV)

That sounds like a big moment!

Jesus was going to be glorified.

I try to imagine what the disciples would have been thinking. They probably were pumped. Maybe they imagined an Ovechkin-like celebration. Finally, Jesus was going to get what He deserved.

But then Jesus starts talking strangely, like He did so often.

He said:

“Very truly, I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed.” (John 12:24, NIV)

“Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour?’ No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your Name!” (John 12:27-28, NIV)

Jesus’ suffering was going to bring glory to God.

Ours does, too.

Every time a man says, “Not my will but Yours be done” when facing suffering, we bring glory to God, just like Jesus did.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I want to bring You glory. Suffering is hard, and I am often tempted to complain and beg You to take it away. But I want to be more like You, Jesus. You didn’t shy away from suffering; You faced it head-on. You did this to bring glory to the Father. Help me to have Your attitude when I suffer. Help me to say, “Not my will but Yours be done,” and then humbly endure. May everything I do, especially how I suffer, bring glory to You. You deserve nothing less. Amen.

Reflection: What is your attitude like when you have to suffer? What would it look like if you offered it to Jesus to honor Him every time you suffered?