This is a hard saying… who can accept it?  The Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write the following in Philippians 1:29…

For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in Him but also suffer for His sake.

Suffering, hardship, difficulty, and persecution are gifts from God… to every believer… to glorify Him.  That may not be a popular truth, but that doesn’t make it any less true.  The last thing we want to believe is that it is God’s will for EVERY Christian to suffer for Christ’s sake.

Suffering for His sake means…

Publicly and privately trusting God while your heart breaks over difficult family issues…

Refusing to succumb to bitterness and revenge when you and/or your family have been wronged…

Joyfully accepting a “No” answer to your prayer from God that disappoints you in your humanity…

Realizing that it is God’s will for your lifelong dream not to come true… and still be joyful…

Rejoicing when God will is the exact opposite of you thought was His will…

Being content when God places you where HE wants you rather than where you had hoped…

Being able to encourage others and continue in ministry even though your heart & life are filled with life altering struggles…

Being able to choose to be mistreated and in God’s will rather than enjoy briefly the fleeting pleasures of sin…

Knowing in the depths of your heart that whatever you go through now will be more than rewarded by God… one day… for eternity.

This IS a hard saying… however… “It is He that is at work in you both to will and accomplish His good pleasure.”

God willing… tomorrow I’ll try to make a few suggestions about joy in the midst of adversity.