Heavy Cross

Do you ever wonder why you struggle so often as a Christian?  It seems we have it so easy being a born-again believer in Jesus Christ in many places in the United States.  I have had such a close relationship with the Lord through the years that when I go through some kind of struggle I seem to forget that this is a normal way of life for many believers, but when it happens to me it is easy for me to think, woe is me.

I know Jesus said this 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.”

I think many of us react that way because we don’t know what it is like to be faced with big problems plus persecution.  We read about it in God’s Word but we don’t experience it like our brothers and sisters do in other countries.  As time goes on I think we will experience it more and more.

I was watching a documentary the other day and I was ashamed of myself for the way I respond to trouble and persecution.  Many other people that suffer problems plus persecution lose everything that they have, their families, their business, their homes and even their lives.  Some are thrown in prison and tortured and if they are released they go right back and serve the Lord like they did before.  We hear about people that are persecuted, tortured and imprisoned and we may feel bad or we may just turn a deaf ear and ignore it, but many times we don’t relate it to ourselves.

I know what Paul said in 2 Timothy 3:12, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”                                       

I have read about the persecution recorded in the Word of God that Paul experienced as a believer and many other people that have suffered for their faith in God, but it seems like it happened so many years ago.  I have suffered verbal abuse but that is nothing compared to what others have suffered for their faith.  I know we are in the latter days of the last days and persecution will be worse and worse as the days go on, so we need to prepare ourselves if the Lord counts us worthy to suffer for Him.  That is an interesting thought, if the Lord counts us worthy to suffer for Him. Did you ever think about rejoicing while being persecuted because the Lord counted you worthy to suffer for Him?  

In Bible times the Apostles were beaten for speaking in the name of Jesus, read what their response was in Acts 5:38-42, “And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God. And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.”

Peter and John were told not to preach Jesus on other occasions but they continued, knowing how their Lord suffered, they were willing to suffer for Him also if need be.  Rejoicing while suffering sort of seems like an oxymoron but they did it.  What about you, would you be willing to suffer for Jesus?

In Acts 16, Paul and Silas suffered for their faith and because of it miracles took place.  Lydia and her household were saved and baptized.  The fortune teller was set free and the jailer and his whole household were saved.  All this happened because they were willing to suffer for the Lord.  They didn’t have to suffer because they were Roman citizens but they didn’t tell anyone, read Acts 16:35-40, “And when it was day, the magistrates sent the officers, saying, ‘Let those men go.’ So the keeper of the prison reported these words to Paul, saying, ‘The magistrates have sent to let you go. Now therefore depart, and go in peace.’ But Paul said to them, ‘They have beaten us openly, uncondemned Romans, and have thrown us into prison. And now do they put us out secretly? No indeed! Let them come themselves and get us out.’ And the officers told these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans. Then they came and pleaded with them and brought them out, and asked them to depart from the city. So they went out of the prison and entered the house of Lydia; and when they had seen the brethren, they encouraged them and departed.”

I hope from now on I will be able to look at problems, suffering and persecution in a more positive way.  If you have had similar experiences, I hope this has helped.  I have given you something to think about.  May you have a super day and may the good Lord bless you and yours!!