No one likes suffering.
That’s fine.
Because we don’t like suffering, we think that God must not want us to suffer.
That’s not fine. That’s not fine because that kind of thinking is wrong.
The early Christians would find such thinking baffling. You see, for the early Christian suffering was normative. They didn’t like suffering just like we don’t like suffering. But they also knew that suffering was necessary and normative for the Christian life.
Don’t take my word for it. Here are just a few verses that talk about suffering in the New Testament:
- 1 Peter 2:21 – This this you were called, because Christ suffered for you leaving you an example, that you should follow in his footsteps.
- 1 Peter 4:12-13 – Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
- Hebrews 12:7 – Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children.
- 2 Timothy 3:12 – In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
- Philippians 1:29 – For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him.
- Acts 5:41 – The apostles left the Sanhedrin rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.
- Acts 14:22 – “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.”
Something to think about…
Praxis: Faith in Action 