We don’t like to suffer. In fact, there are times when we feel the slightest pain and we start feeling like we are being persecuted. We would much rather have God shatter those we perceive to be our enemies than deal with anything resembling suffering. When God deals with our “enemies,” then, we will sing God’s praises. But sometimes life is hard and sometimes it is hard because we are Christians, and our adversary, “the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (
1 Peter 5:8). Jesus once said, “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on My account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (
Matthew 5:11–12). This same Jesus prayed for us, that our holy Father would keep us in His name. He knew suffering and is now experiencing glory.
When we suffer because of our Christian faith, we share Christ’s suffering and because He suffered, died, and rose again, we, too, will share that experience and join Him in His glory.