Many Afflictions

I want every believer to realize that there will be trouble and hardships along the way; that living for the Lord doesn’t exempt us from these things.  We may wish we could escape problems and everything would always go well, but that is not reality.  You may have been taught that when you received the Lord as your Lord and Savior, everything would go well and you would not have a care in the world, but in all reality there will be afflictions, trials and tribulation.

The reason I am doing this Tidbit on this subject, is that when these things happen many believers get discouraged and even angry at God.  Some have even given up and some have thought about throwing in the towel, so to speak, and walking away from the faith.  The problem is that many are never taught to count the cost of following the Lord.  

For some reason the old gun fighters come to mind, they never seemed to count the cost of killing the person they were drawing against, all they wanted was another ‘notch on their belt’ and to gain the reputation of someone not to be messed with.  But in the end, sooner or later, they paid the price, which was the cost of being a gun slinger knowing the law was always after them and never knowing real peace, always looking over their shoulder wondering who was trying to sneak up behind them and being hated and rejected by people through their lifetime.

I know that was a whole different scenario but there is also a cost when following the Lord.  This is what it says about this subject in Luke 14:27, “And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.”  Jesus and the people in His day knew what it meant to carry their own cross and it wasn’t meant to just be fun or easy.  Following Jesus meant complete submission, and possibly death, and not just an emotional commitment that would soon wane.  If all you have is a superficial commitment, either go deeper or turn back.

It also says this in 1 Peter 4:12-14, “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.”  These verses speak of fiery trials and suffering and how we shouldn’t be taken by surprise when they happen.  How many of us can rejoice when we suffer for being a believer?  Think about it.  Paul said all who live a godly life will be persecuted.  

Jesus talked about the world’s hatred towards believers in John 15:18-21, “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.”   The world hated Jesus and it will hate His followers as well.  

I heard a man say that since he became a Christian he lost all of his friends, saying it like he was shocked or it was a big surprise.  I think many believers may respond the same way in similar situations but they shouldn’t, they should expect it, it is just part of the cost of being a believer, but who teaches that?  

Jesus also said this to His disciples in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”  Jesus told His disciples to take courage in spite of the struggles they would face because they would not be left alone in their struggles.  Jesus will not abandon us in our struggles either, praise the Lord.

Remember the ultimate victory has been won many years ago on the cross when Jesus shed His precious blood for us so we can claim the Lord’s peace in any situation.  There are other verses in the Bible that speak of counting the cost of being a believer as well, but I think I have said enough to give you something to think about and I hope you will.  May the good Lord bless you and may you have a super day!!