Finding Strength in Suffering: The Inspiring Life of Charles Spurgeon

Suffering That Taught Charles Spurgeon to Look to Christ

Charles Haddon Spurgeon was a prominent Baptist preacher and writer in the 19th century. He is known for his powerful and influential sermons, as well as his extensive writings, which continue to impact Christians today. However, Spurgeon's life was not without its share of suffering. In fact, it was through his experiences of pain and hardship that he learned to look to Christ in a deeper way.

Early Life and Conversion

Spurgeon was born on June 19, 1834, in Kelvedon, Essex, England. His parents were devout Christians, and he grew up in a home where the Bible was valued and studied. At the age of 15, Spurgeon experienced a profound spiritual awakening while attending a Methodist chapel in Colchester. He later described this experience in his autobiography:

"I sometimes think I might have been in darkness and despair until now had it not been for the goodness of God in sending a snowstorm one Sunday morning while I was going to a certain place of worship. When I could go no further, I turned down a side street and came to a little Primitive Methodist chapel. In that chapel, there may have been a dozen or fifteen people. I had heard of the Primitive Methodists, how they sang so loudly that they made people's heads ache; but that did not matter to me. I wanted to know how I might be saved, and if they could tell me that, I did not care how much they made my head ache."

It was at this chapel that Spurgeon heard a sermon on Isaiah 45:22, the same passage that would later be inscribed on his casket. The preacher called out to the young Spurgeon, "Look, young man, look to Jesus Christ!" Spurgeon later wrote, "I looked, and looked, and looked, until I could have almost looked my eyes away."

Spurgeon's conversion was a turning point in his life. He began to read the Bible voraciously and to share the gospel with others. He also felt a call to ministry, and at the age of 19, he became the pastor of a small Baptist church in Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire.

Suffering and Ministry

Spurgeon's ministry soon began to flourish. He was a gifted speaker and a prolific writer, and his sermons and publications were widely read and appreciated. In 1854, he became the pastor of the New Park Street Chapel in London, which would later become the Metropolitan Tabernacle. Under his leadership, the church grew rapidly, and Spurgeon became one of the most influential preachers of his time.

However, Spurgeon's success was not without its challenges. He suffered from poor health throughout his life and was prone to depression. He also faced criticism and opposition from some quarters, particularly over his Calvinist theology and his opposition to the ritualism of the Church of England.

Perhaps the most significant trial of Spurgeon's life, however, was the tragic event that occurred on October 19, 1856. On that day, Spurgeon was preaching to a large crowd at the Surrey Music Hall in London. The hall was filled to capacity, with thousands of people standing outside, hoping to hear the famous preacher. Suddenly, someone in the crowd shouted, "Fire!" Panic ensued, and in the stampede that followed, seven people were killed and many more were injured.

Spurgeon was deeply affected by the tragedy. He was plagued by guilt and grief, and he struggled to understand why God had allowed such a thing to happen. In a sermon preached shortly after the event, he said:

"I would have given my life if I could have saved any one of those souls that were there, but I was powerless, and could do nothing. And now I am left to consider whether it is possible that in the providence of God I may have been the cause of their destruction."

Spurgeon's suffering did not end with the Surrey Music Hall disaster. He continued to struggle with poor health, depression, and opposition from some quarters. Nevertheless, he remained faithful to his calling, preaching the gospel and ministering to his congregation and others in need.

Looking to Christ in Suffering

Through all of his trials, Spurgeon learned to look to Christ in a deeper way. He wrote extensively on the subject of suffering, and his sermons and writings continue to offer comfort and encouragement to Christians today.

One of Spurgeon's most well-known sermons on suffering is "The Sweet Uses of Adversity," which he preached on November 30, 1856, just a few weeks after the Surrey Music Hall disaster. In this sermon, Spurgeon argues that suffering can be a means of grace in the life of a Christian. He writes:

"God often takes away our comforts and our privileges in order to make us better Christians. He trains His soldiers, not in tents of ease and luxury, but by turning them out and marching them through the swamps and the deserts, thus putting them to forced marches and hard service."

Spurgeon goes on to say that suffering can help us to grow in humility, faith, and hope. He writes:

"When we are in affliction, we are often tempted to think that God has forgotten us, or that He does not care about our struggles. But the truth is that God is using our trials to strengthen our faith and to draw us closer to Himself."

Spurgeon's emphasis on looking to Christ in suffering is rooted in the teachings of the Bible. In the book of Hebrews, we read:

"Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:1-2, ESV).

Similarly, in the book of James, we read:

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing" (James 1:2-4, ESV).

These passages remind us that suffering is a normal part of the Christian life, and that it can be a means of growth and sanctification. When we face trials and difficulties, we are called to look to Christ, who suffered for us and who promises to be with us in all our afflictions.

Conclusion

Charles Spurgeon's life and ministry offer a powerful example of what it means to look to Christ in suffering. Through his experiences of pain and hardship, he learned to trust in God's goodness and to find comfort and strength in the gospel. His writings and sermons continue to inspire and encourage Christians today, reminding us that even in the midst of our trials, we can find hope and peace in Christ.

As we face the challenges of 2023 and beyond, may we too learn to look to Christ in suffering, trusting in His grace and His promises. And may we be encouraged by the example of Charles Spurgeon, who faced his trials with faith and courage, and who ultimately found joy and peace in the presence of his Savior.