The Right Kind Of Suffering

The Right Kind Of “Suffering”

If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: … But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf

(1Peter 4:14-16).

Some people suffer due to ignorance of God’s Word, and others do out of foolishness or some form of wrongdoing on their part. But suffering for the sake of the Gospel is of high value in the sight of God. For example, it took a lot for missionaries to get the message of the Gospel to Africa. Back then, they faced many hardships and suffered severe persecutions. Some even went without food, good shelter, and other vital requirements needed for comfort. They had to put up with all these hardships just to bring the Gospel to others.

In 2 Corinthians 11:23-27, Paul testifies of his experience, the things he suffered for preaching the Gospel: “…in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.”To suffer for the sake of the Gospel in this manner means that the Spirit of glory, and of our God rests upon you!

Every kind of suffering that you undertake because of the Lord will surely turn into a reward for you. So you should never despair, give up or feel like you’re suffering for nothing. When such things happen to you, learn to take them patiently and be glad because it means that the glory of God has increased in your life. 1Peter 2:20 AMP says “…But if you bear patiently with suffering [which results] when you do right and that is undeserved, it is acceptable and pleasing to God.”

There are Christians who have joyfully laid down life’s luxury, so that the Gospel will be preached around the world! They’ve consciously deprived themselves of life’s comfort, for the sake of advancing God’s Kingdom. This is the right and acceptable kind of suffering for the Christian; where you make the choice to go with or without or to face whatever persecution may arise because of the right and positive actions you’ve taken for the Lord.

Prayer

Dear Father,

I thank you for the privilege and platform of preaching the Gospel to the whole world. I do so with all of my abilities, and all my resources, being conscious of your blessings and rewards,

in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY

2 Timothy 3:10-12

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING

1 Year Bible reading plan: John 13:31-14:14; 2 Kings 23-25

2 Year Bible reading plan:  Mark 14:1-11; Numbers 31