How Suffering For The Gospel Is A Blessing
“Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.” ~ 1 Peter 4:16 KJV
Let’s be honest with each other – No one in their right frame of mind can honestly say that they enjoy pain and suffering. When we examine some scriptures or biblical principles in their entirety, they are not only hard to accept but difficult to adhere to.
Yet when it comes to pain and suffering in this life, Christ forewarns of them and have already put us on alert that we will face persecution, tribulations and that the world will frown upon us, especially those who are Christians and are of the household of faith.
It is tough to follow and this is where it often becomes most challenging where persons become discouraged and turn away from Christ and the great gospel and as a result many don’t ever come to the fullness of their purpose and destiny.
However, those of us that remain persistent, consistent and insistent with our beliefs, though we meet with some of the sharpest sorest sufferings have that deep seated conviction that there is something far greater than our pain or suffering awaiting us.
As a matter of fact just as the scripture says, it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. As Peter suggests, we must count it as an opportunity to praise God and look upon it as a privilege of being in Christ’s family and being called by His wonderful name.
How Suffering For The Gospel Is A Blessing
1. Happy are you – In your pain and suffering, take courage in knowing that you have the Spirit of God with you to fortify, strengthen and comfort you. Here is the opportunity for you to celebrate the goodness of God and to rejoice in Him knowing that you are being qualified all the more for a great reward that is laid up in heaven for you.
“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” ~ Matthew 5:11-12 KJV – King James Version
2. You are being prepared and sealed up for eternal glory – trials, tribulations, persecutions, your pain [affliction] and sufferings brings into your life more of the Spirit of God who is also the Spirit of glory. It is He who shall carry you through them all and to bring you out gloriously.
You experience first hand the Spirit of glory resting upon you, residing with you, dwelling with you, supporting you and where He is most pleased with you as you endure through whatever afflictions you face. Rest assured of God’s deliverance and your victory. Trials don’t come to destroy you but are for your good to strengthen you and to help your spiritual growth.
“The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.” ~ Psalm 34:19 NIV – New International Version
3. God is on your part [account] glorified – Anxiety is a contradiction to humility. But by exercising patience and fortitude in your suffering, through your dependance upon the promises of God and you adhering to the word of God which the Holy Spirit has revealed, you are allowing God to be glorified in your situation.
The more God is glorified in your life in difficult and trying times with the Spirit of God resting upon you, the less likely you are to be miserable and the happier you will become.
It has been proven that when good people are treated poorly and others speak ill of them for the name of Christ, His Holy Spirit is glorified in them.
“For this light momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” 2 Corinthians 4:17 ESV -English Standard Version
Your turn
Hope you enjoyed today’s devotional. Share your thoughts in the comment form below and let us know how this message has helped you.
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Hi Yvonne,
I really appreciate this post. What this post pointed out to me so clearly is what you mention in point number three; “Anxiety is a contradiction to humility”. I think we all tend to be quick to become anxious about any form of suffering.
If we can shift our attention towards realizing when we are suffering, we are suffering for the sake of the Gospel, we will turn that anxiety into excitement. Because the bigger the suffering (the challenge), the bigger the victory. When we can start thinking in such a way, it will become a blessing, because in Christ we know that the victory is ours. It is not a matter of “if” victory comes our way in a particular circumstance. If we know our identity in Christ and we stand in faith, it is a done deal.
So what I learn from that is that anxiety comes from focusing on myself. But when I shift the focus away from myself and onto Jesus, God will be glorified because Jesus has already achieved victory over every suffering that we can imagine. Every suffering is just an opportunity to confirm that. So, the bigger the suffering, the bigger the victory. Bigger victory = more glory.
Thank you so much for sharing this with us.
Have great day.
Hi Jaco
Happy that you were blessed by the post and got substance to meditate on. It is really not easy for when you are going through difficulties in life to not become anxious and to stay humble but we must ask for a heavier outpouring of God’s grace to help us to get through the.
It is far better if your suffering is for speaking the truth and righteousness than it is to suffer as a consequence for sin. In light of that we must consider ourselves blessed and to quit complaining and whining. In so doing we have a greater appreciation for the word of God that says – “But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness [though it is not certain that you will], you are still blessed [happy, to be admired and favored by God]. Do not be afraid of their intimidating threats, nor be troubled or disturbed [by their opposition]. ~ 1 Peter 3:14 AMP
The truth is Jaco, I don’t like the pain of suffering but once I endure the process, the victory is sweetest. God bless you. Have a great day.
Hi Yvonne
There is nothing as awesome as suffering for the gospel. I do believe that what we are enjoying today is based on the suffering that others had to bear to share the gospel. So we should not complain as the gospel has the power to change the world.
Thanks for sharing. Take Care
Oh yes Ikechi! The pain when there is suffering as a result of sin is so different to when we suffer for righteousness sake or for the sake of advancing the gospel and the kingdom of God. I agree that a lot of what we are enjoying today is based on the suffering of others. Therefore our pain and suffering today is for the future generation to enjoy.
Have a great day!
Hi, Yvonne
When you mentioned suffering for the gospel, did you also include the trial of life? No matter whether it is included or not, We, as human, try to stay out from them – just like you said no people in the right frame of mind will like them.
When I was a young Christ follower, I complained. Now as I become more mature, I can taste what you meant in the post. The suffer really can purge our bad character away and can draw us closer to God.
Have a nice evening!
Hi Stella
Your presence here is always so refreshing and encouraging. 🙂 Thanks for your participation in the discussion.
To some extent yes the trials of life is included. You mentioned a key factor though and that is maturity. The more mature we become as Christians, the better we can withstand all the trials and the suffering for the sake of the gospel. Also like you said these things can bring us closer to God.
Have a great weekend.