Knowing Christ in His Suffering and Resurrection

The closer we walk with Jesus, the more our lives are shaped to look like His. He gives us His heart, and that gift includes the willingness to suffer as He did.

Key Verse: "My goal is to know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death." — Philippians 3:10

I remember back in 2020, during the dreadful times of COVID and isolation, I would retreat to my “prayer room,” which was really a corner of our bedroom that became a very precious space. I spent endless hours talking with Jesus and had countless supernatural experiences with Him. This only came about through deep intimacy and a deeper surrender and dying to myself.

I learned so many beautiful things during that time, but the most important was that I can be as close to Jesus as I want to be. He is always there waiting for me with open arms. Someone with more theological knowledge could probably put this into better words, but I can honestly say that the closer I’ve walked with Jesus, the more clearly I’ve understood His heart.

No, I’m not claiming to understand the inner workings of God’s heart. But I began to experience a deeper level of discernment, moments when I could sense the burden someone was carrying before they ever opened their mouth. I began to weep at times when I saw abuse and brokenness. I would feel a pain in my chest with a call to pray and intercede for things that I didn’t always know the reasoning behind.

Six years later, I’ve learned that this may be as close as I’ll ever come to understanding the suffering Christ bears for His children—and even then, I know it’s only a small glimpse of what He truly endured.

I once believed my tears were a sign of weakness, especially when faced with so much brokenness. Now, led by the Holy Spirit, I see that this tenderness of heart is not a flaw but a gift from Him. Before I encountered Christ, I don’t believe I could have felt this pull to pray without the Holy Spirit awakening it within me. 

I don’t always handle suffering well, and I’m still learning and growing in so many ways. But I can honestly say, even with fear and trembling, that deep in my heart I believe it is a true privilege to carry and identify with Christ in His suffering.

Paul instructs us in Galatians 2:20:

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

We come to Jesus just as we are, with open and honest hearts, laying every struggle, every weakness, and every selfish tendency at His feet. Our confidence rests in Him alone. Romans 8:13: “For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.”

Day To Day

I know that our Christian walk is ultimately led by the Holy Spirit, but sometimes I need someone to give me tangible steps of what this might look like on a daily basis.

Beginning my day with intentional God time:

● Listening quietly to hear if He has something to say ● Reading His Word ● Listening to worship music ● Interceding for my friends and family, and needs around the world

What I do in my human interactions:

● Choose kindness ● Extend grace ● Receive honest feedback without taking offense ● Assuming best intentions ● Forgive, forgive, and forgive again

Walking in Godly wisdom:

● Asking God to fill my mouth with his words ● If I don’t know, do nothing and pray ● Seek Godly mentoring from much older people ● Knowing without Him, I am weak ● Constantly aware that it is not up to me alone, but Christ through me

I definitely struggle and fail sometimes, but I do my best as the Holy Spirit guides me. You don’t have to have it all figured out. The Holy Spirit who dwells in me also dwells in you, and He will guide you with love, each step of the way.

Filled with hope

As we approach Easter and anticipate the hope of Christ's resurrection, we do not despair when we experience suffering. I love the passage in the book of John where it says, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

I love that we can stand in victory and hold onto hope, trusting that one day we’ll be with Him forever, where every bit of suffering will be gone, and joy will never end.