By THE SPIRIT it is written in Acts chapter 9:
15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.
16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.
19 So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.
Most Christians are not looking to suffer on behalf of Christ yet Jesus made it clear that Saul (who is Paul) must suffer for Jesus Christ. There is a message of hope that would have us believe we should never suffer but live a life without having to overcome obstacles. Yet when you listen to those who preach this, they typically use examples in their own lives of suffering where they had to overcome.
By THE SPIRIT Paul ended up writing two-thirds of the New Testament thus his suffering produced much fruit on behalf of the Kingdom. He was a chosen vessel to suffer on Jesus’ behalf. Are we willing to suffer in like manner? In Romans chapter 8, Paul writes about suffering:
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”
16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
The thought of suffering can bring about fear of the unknown but Paul associates it with the spirit of bondage and we must not let bondage rise up in us. Instead, we cry out to Abba, FATHER WHO removes any obstacles which appear to be insurmountable. Let us be strong and of good courage as we are faced with life’s challenges, some of which will cause us to suffer. Let our trust in FATHER overshadow anything set before us. Each of us should simply Love, forgive, and walk in the fruit of THE SPIRIT. As we do the things we must suffer will shrink in their ability to affect us.
Paul continues:
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.
The sufferings we are subjected to are of little or no consequence when we compare the suffering with the glory to be revealed in us. With this assurance, embrace the suffering knowing that the reward outweighs the suffering we are required to endure. If you are emotionally drained, cry out to “Abba, Father” knowing that FATHER will comfort you as you walk out the suffering set before you.