Here is a fact based on Scripture. Becoming a Follower of Christ means suffering is part of the package! The false Gospel appeals to self and offers health, wealth and prosperity, and that God wants to take all your problems, remove them and you will never have any more. He will eliminate them and protect you from them, but the true Gospel says suffering is part of the package, expect it, don’t be surprised by it when it comes! –🙂
Read these verses and note what each one says about suffering, so as to think clearly and Scripturally. Look for the main point or two from each verse. You might want to take some notes and write down what the verse teaches specifically about suffering from the verse. Also choose one verse and commit it to memory… MEDITATE UPON IT… and as you hide it in your heart, the Holy Spirit can use to recall when you need it and also for you to share and comfort, strengthen help others.
1 Peter 4:12 – “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;…”
2 Timothy 3:12 – ” Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”
1 Peter 4:16 – “but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.”
Matthew 5:10-12 -“Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Acts 9:15 -16 – “But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
Phil 1:29 -“For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.“
1 Timothy 4:16 – ” but if anyone suffersas a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. ”
1 Peter 4:13 – “but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.”