There are days and weeks, sometimes months and years, that are full of disappointments, loneliness, and heartbreak. It seems as if the world is fighting against you and it seems as if God is far away, but there are undoubted truths about suffering as a Christian.
We must know that following Christ promises persecution, yet He is walking beside us and helping us carry our burdens; we are to rejoice in this affliction because of the eternal life promised to us by the cross.
And although suffering is very real, there are three absolute truths that we are guaranteed as Christians.
Suffering is promised.
Throughout the Bible, written are many promises of the persecution that Christians will face during their times on earth. We live in a sin-ridden world with billions of fallen people. While Christ was on earth, He was constantly persecuted; the Son of God Himself was chastised, ridiculed, and embarrassed.
And the world hasn't changed. We, as Christians, are promised the same. However, suffering is NOT an individual punishment for sin, as it is promised for every believer; it is the result of the fall of mankind.
1 Peter 4:12 states, "Do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you... instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of the Messiah," encouraging the Christian to endure with a Christlike faith, so that the believers are identified with Christ.
Persecution is promised, and what makes Christians different is how we react to it.
These sufferings are opportunities for deeper intimacy with Christ. God uses these inevitable, intense tests to refine and shape us more into His likeness. These trials should cause us to rejoice because of the evidence seen of Christ's work.
We are blessed to be persecuted in the name of Christ. We are called to rejoice in the name of the One who suffered for our sake.
God is ALWAYS present in our suffering.
"For as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so through Christ our comfort also overflows." - 2 Corinthians 1:5
Perhaps the answer to suffering is not a word, but the Word; not an idea, but a Person. Although persecution is not enjoyable, it is a promised part of the Christian life. but GOOD NEWS!!!!! There is a comforter, and we can rejoice in His name!
In Matthew 11:28, Christ tells us, "All who are weary and burdened, come to Me and I will give you rest... for My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
In Jesus' words, He is offering to be harnessed alongside us; He is offering to help carry the weight of our burdens, paralleling His work on the cross. A yoke is designed for two animals to carry together, one harness larger than the other for the stronger, more experienced animal, the other for the one in training. In context, Christ is offering His aide and mentorship so that we can follow and learn from Him. He bears the weight of our suffering so that we do not have to carry it on our own.
Romans 8:31 reminds the believer, "If God is for us, then who can be against us?" This triumph for the Christian is the ultimate reminder of Christ's ultimate victory over sin, shame, and suffering.
We rejoice in knowing that although suffering may endure, we have a hope of eternal life in Christ Jesus.
The weight of eternal glory is far greater than earthly satisfaction.
Do you ever wonder why it seems like bad things happen to good people? And why it seems that people who do not walk in Christ have fantastic lives?
That is because those unknown to salvation receive their reward on earth. The glory that those receive is a secular, earthly praise that is empty and unsatisfying.
However, Paul reminds the Christian in Romans 8:18, "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us." We have a hope that was proven by Christ's work on the cross. We know that our heavenly reward is awaiting us when we come into the throne room.
An old hymn writes, "I'd rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today."
This context states that nothing on this earth carries more importance than a relationship with Christ. The world offers awards, titles, money, and recognition; however, those are just rubbish compared to the salvation experienced by the believer.
"So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." - 2 Corinthians 4:18
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I remind you again of Peter's words, "Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of the Messiah, so that you may also rejoice with great joy at the revelation of His glory."
We are called to be joyful in suffering because of the evidence of Christ seen within it.
We Christians should welcome suffering because of the way it refines us to be made more like Christ. If suffering is what it takes to be made in His likeness, then we are to rejoice in it.
"And I know there will be days when this life brings me pain, but if that's what it takes to praise You, Jesus bring the rain." - Mercy Me
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