The Spirit Who Sustains Us in Suffering

Suffering is an unavoidable part of life. As followers of Christ, we are not promised exemption from trials, but we are promised the sustaining presence of the Holy Spirit. When pain, persecution, or hardship comes, the Spirit equips us with endurance, peace, and even joy in the midst of suffering. One of the most powerful examples of this is Stephen, the first Christian martyr. Acts 6:8-10 tells us that Stephen, full of the Spirit, stood firm and spoke with wisdom and grace even as opposition rose against him.

Stephen’s story reminds us that suffering does not have the final word. The Spirit sustains us in our suffering, giving us the strength to remain faithful and the hope to endure. His sustaining power is not just for extraordinary moments but for the daily struggles we face as well.

“And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people… But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.” (Acts 6:8, 10, ESV)

The Holy Spirit sustains us in suffering, empowering us with strength, wisdom, and peace.

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Big Idea 1: The Spirit Gives Strength to Endure

Suffering has a way of revealing our weakness. Left to ourselves, trials can overwhelm us. But when we rely on the Spirit, we receive strength that goes beyond our natural capacity. Stephen faced false accusations, hostility, and ultimately death. Yet Scripture emphasizes that he was “full of the Spirit.” His endurance did not come from inner resolve but from the Spirit’s power within him.

This same Spirit strengthens us in our moments of weakness. Whether the suffering is physical, emotional, or relational, the Spirit provides the resilience we need to endure. He gives us courage when fear rises and endurance when we feel like giving up.

When we face trials, the Spirit transforms suffering from a crushing weight into an opportunity to experience God’s sustaining presence.

Big Idea 2: The Spirit Gives Wisdom to Speak

In Acts 6:10, Stephen’s opponents “could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.” In moments of trial, the Spirit equips us with the right words and the wisdom needed. Jesus had promised this in Luke 12:12: “The Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”

This promise is not just for times of persecution but for any situation where suffering demands a faithful response. When we feel at a loss for words or unsure of how to respond, the Spirit provides wisdom that transcends our own understanding.

The Spirit sustains us not only by giving endurance but also by guiding our words so that they bring glory to God, even in the face of opposition.

Big Idea 3: The Spirit Gives Peace in the Midst of Pain

Perhaps the most striking aspect of Stephen’s suffering is the peace he displayed. Even as stones were hurled at him, his face was described as “like the face of an angel” (Acts 6:15). This peace was not natural but supernatural, a direct result of being filled with the Spirit. The Spirit enabled him to forgive his attackers, echoing the words of Jesus on the cross: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (Acts 7:60).

This same peace is available to us today. The Spirit gives us calm in the storm, hope in despair, and joy in the midst of sorrow. He reminds us that suffering is temporary and that eternal glory awaits those who remain faithful.

Peace in suffering is one of the most powerful testimonies we can offer the world, pointing others to the reality of Christ in us.

Conclusion

The Spirit who sustained Stephen is the same Spirit who lives in us. He gives us strength to endure, wisdom to speak, and peace in the midst of pain. Suffering is never easy, but it is never endured alone. The Spirit’s presence transforms our trials into testimonies of God’s faithfulness.

As we face our own hardships, we can rest in the assurance that the Spirit is with us. He will sustain us, just as He sustained Stephen, so that our lives point others to Christ even in the midst of suffering.

Action Step

Bring one area of suffering in your life before God in prayer today. Ask the Holy Spirit to sustain you with strength, wisdom, and peace as you walk through it.

“God does not comfort us to make us comfortable, but to make us comforters.”

– John Henry Jowett

How has the Holy Spirit sustained you in times of suffering? Share your experience in the comments to encourage others. Don’t forget to subscribe to the blog for more devotionals and encouragement in your spiritual journey! If this post encouraged you, consider sharing it on your social media or reposting it on your blog to inspire others.

Prayer

Holy Spirit, thank You for sustaining me in times of suffering. Please give me the strength to endure, the wisdom to speak, and the peace to remain faithful. May my life point others to Christ even in the midst of trials. Amen.

It begins with Christ!

If you don’t know Christ as your savior, it begins with the first step. Believe in Him and make Him Lord of your life! Committing your life to serve Him is the most significant decision! For more information on serving the Lord, CLICK HERE!

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Blessings,

Chad 

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