Triumph Over Trouble预览

Persecution is our privilege!

Philippians 1:29, in the New Living Translation, says, "For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him," and The Message puts it this way "There's far more to this life than trusting in Christ. There's also suffering for him. And the suffering is as much a gift as the trusting."

We have lost something in this modern world as we feverishly try to avoid trouble. No wonder we aren't very effective for Jesus. Look at the attitude of the early disciples in Acts 13:50-52: "...They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. So they shook the dust off their feet as a warning to them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit." Where does that joy come from? We think God is mad at us if we suffer much inconvenience!

It is not that God doesn't like us or that He likes to see us suffer. No one else ever loves us as much as God does. But He loves us too much to settle for mediocrity in our lives. He desires overcoming Christians who change the world boldly because they depend on Him for everything.

Therefore, Paul said in 2 Timothy 1:8: "do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God." And in Acts 5:41: "The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name."

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." (2 Corinthians 4:16-17)

Are we fretting over our troubles rather than letting God turn them into great benefits which will last forever? Still your heart and let the strength of the Lord show you His joy, keeping your eyes on Him as you stand firm in your faith.