Christians will experience trouble
If you have been a Christian for any amount of time, you may have encountered the doctrine as well as the experience of suffering.
We are told in John chapter 16 verse 33 that we will have trouble, this verse in the English Standard Verse (ESV) states:
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
To establish this claim, Philippians chapter 1 verse 29 (ESV) states “For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,”
There is no getting around it, Christians will experience trouble in the journey of faith.
What’s the end of our story?
There is one question, that I have learned to ask myself whenever I find trouble occurring in my life: “Is suffering the beginning of my story…or is this where it will end?”
Well, let’s head to the Bible to see if we can get some revelation on this.
On a further look in the scripture, we learn that God has promised victory to His chosen, to those that will endure to the very end. The power of Christ living in us is greater than any adversity, and scripture clearly outlines what God has to say about our futures when trouble hits.
1 Peter chapter 5 verse 10 gives great encouragement:
“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”
There are, also, other scriptures which paint a picture of victory over each and every trial we face in life.
Psalm chapter 34 verse 19 also tells us:
“The righteous person has many troubles, but the Lord delivers them from it all”
Whilst 1 John 5 verse 4 also promises, “everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that overcomes the world. Even our faith”
So often we have heard that a life of following Christ will be accompanied by suffering and trouble, but what we need to hear more of is that God promises a way out. He promises to heal us emotionally, physically, spiritually and recover for us all that has been lost, stolen and destroyed.
I believe that the traditional church has not done a good job of conditioning our minds to look for the “after” that is connected to suffering. Many are afraid that such thinking may give people false hope, but as far as we can see, our hope comes from God and God won’t be mocked, His word is true.
What then?
So what does this mean for us?
It means that we have to choose to believe that our present suffering, is not the end. In the midst of a trying time, it is easy to believe this is the end for us. Its very easy to get apathetic, complacent and doubtful. If we cling to the reality of experiencing suffering as if it is our end, we won’t be feeding ourselves the right food to survive the season and make it out to the other side.
The very best thing I have done in my trying times is to cling to Gods word. I had to develop the mindset that trials are normal for me as a Christian but also remember that just as God had designed it in nature, the true is same for my life: the sun always shines after a storm and rains always comes after the fiercest drought.
It is this question that I pose to you today: How have you viewed your lot in life as a Christian? One that ends with suffering? Or one that has mountains following every deep valley?
Like the saying says, the glass is either half full or half empty.
I’m so glad God chose to write His word in such a way where it is evident that with God on our side during every trial, our cups are always flowing over!
I encourage you to get in the word today and gather the strength you need before a trial comes. I have found that preparing before trouble hits always keeps my soul at an advantage.
Never be afraid of a trial, the enemy may mean it for harm, but God can use the bad to create a beautiful masterpiece. The key to your endurance is your mindset.
Remember, as a man thinketh, in his heart so is he.
Be encouraged and remember, suffering is not where the story ends!
Blessings!