By THE SPIRIT Paul spoke in Philippians chapter 1:
27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,
28 and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God.
29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.
Are you and I willing to suffer for Christ’s sake? Suffering means to be affected or have been affected, to feel, have a sensible experience, to undergo hardships, setbacks, and/or disappointments. Jesus suffered the ultimate hardship by enduring the cross as an innocent victim on our behalf and I am truly grateful for His willingness to suffer for me in order that I might live. What an example of unconditional Love for us to live by. Jesus had sufficient Love and faith to endure the suffering for the benefit of mankind knowing that FATHER would fully restore Him upon completing His purpose. FATHER will do that for each of us as well. Let us not be moved by the necessity of suffering for Christ’s sake for the reward in Heaven is much greater than any of our current suffering.
We need not be terrified of our adversaries but trust in FATHER and HIS ability to deliver us in all circumstances. Once you have experienced Divine deliverance from harm you are better able to handle the the threat of harm in the future. Fear not, what can man do to me!
If we were not a threat to the enemy, we would not be targeted by the adversary. When we are raised up by HIM as a standard of Love, truth, and purity, we become a target of those who are reminded of their path toward destruction. They will attack us simply because we represent what is good and they don’t want to be reminded of their lawlessness. Once Jesus arrived on the scene, the Pharisees were exposed to the people of their transgressions. Jesus challenged their traditions and in response they sought to kill Him. When the light shines upon darkness there will be a reaction… count on it.
In Acts chapter 14 in is written by THE SPIRIT:
21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch,
22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”
Most everyone wants to live a life of peace, safety, and tranquility. If that were the reality, we would not be required to develop great faith in FATHER and HIS ability to deliver us from evil. Unconditional Love would not be necessary if there were no adverse conditions to challenge our Love walk. The disciples experienced this reality as they preached the Gospel and were challenged by the status quo. Many of us have been through suffering inflicted by others because we were willing to respond to the deeper mysteries FATHER revealed to us that challenges the doctrines of the masses. They were more interested in our compliance to their doctrine than the Word of Life. “Misery loves company” as the saying goes.
Let us embrace trials and tribulations as opportunities to overcome rather than succumbing to the fear of dealing with seemingly overwhelming situations. Trusting in FATHER is strengthened during the trials, not in the times of peace and safety. Adversity is intended to strengthen our resolve to walk in Christ at all times. When we fall short we are shown an assessment of our level of maturity in the Love walk. Do not be discouraged but simply learn from the assessment and set your focus on Above.
When you feel overwhelmed in suffering remember what Paul shared by THE SPIRIT in 2 Corinthians chapter 11:
23 Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool— I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often.
24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one.
25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep;
26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness—
Paul knew the reward in Heaven is great and thus he was willing to suffer in this world for Christ. Let us embrace this reality as well.