Bold In Christ Ministries

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ.
2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Honestly, is there anyone who wants to suffer? I doubt if anyone wants to suffer or even enjoys going through suffering. I bet, if there was an option to avoid suffering, we would all jump for it. But Christians are called to rejoice in the suffering. Why is that and what does this mean? Should we be happy when things fall apart? How can one rejoice in suffering? These are tough questions, but very important.

For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. 1 Peter 2:21 NLT

Realistically, God does not expect us to ignore how we feel during these seasons, but He does require us to walk through them according to His truth and not according to our emotions. The truth is our emotions fluctuate a lot, but God’s truth always remains the same. Suffering can produce various kinds of emotions and reactions based on our mental, emotional, physiological and spiritual conditions. It is important to have the right heart posture when you go through suffering.

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1:2-4 NLT

For believers, it is definitely a test of one’s Faith, character, endurance, longsuffering and patience. The Scriptures show us many human examples we can relate to in regards to suffering who went through difficulties, including the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Actually, many characters in the bible endured difficult challenges in their own walk with God. As a matter of fact, it may seem like it is almost a prerequisite to enter God’s kingdom. When believers read through the Bible they will indeed come across numerous examples of life situations that might just be as similar to what they are undergoing in their own lives. God is very intentional, and He does not allow suffering unless it serves a greater purpose. He allows believers to go through such seasons of suffering for testing, refining and growth.

Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad-for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. 1 Peter 4:12-13 NLT

The central truth will always remain the same, however difficult your story might be. God loves you, God is Faithful, God is true, God never changes and He never Fails. God always comes to the rescue of His people, those who put their trust in Him, and delivers them from all forms of trouble. My Dear Friend, you are no different, God loves you, sees you, hears you and His plans towards you are still for good and not for evil they are for a future and a purpose (Jeremiah 29:11). This however does not omit suffering, for suffering itself is sometimes God’s will for believers. No matter how tough it looks and feels the challenges do not take away the truth of God’s love and presence. It is through suffering that believers grow in Faith, patience and endurance which makes believers to become more Jesus.

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 NLT

I believe, the sooner one submits to the Holy Spirit, the more quickly that person will grow through adversity, and be more Christlike. With each challenge believers go through, they are able to grow depending on their level of obedience and submission to the Holy Spirit. However, one should be suffering only for good reasons and not for bad reasons. Due to ignorance and lack of knowledge many end up suffering for the wrong reasons, which leads to no great spiritual gain in the long run.

If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs. But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name! 1 Peter 4:15-16 NLT

Brothers and sisters, trials are part of life and indeed they will come, one cannot avoid them, but with the right attitude they can be times of great growth. Today, Christians face various kinds of trials and challenges at home, workplace and in relationships. It’s very important to not lose your faith in God during these trying times, because it is in these kind of seasons your will is tested, your patience and resolve will be stretched to the maximum, and if you are not vigilant you may unknowingly open doors to the enemy who will plant various seeds which may lead to sin.

And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil. Ephesians 4:26-27 NLT

Due to suffering, many tend to feel forsaken by God, even though that is not the truth but lies from the enemy. The enemy only desires believers to rely on their emotion and not the truth in such times. This is a sure opportunity for the enemy to strike with suggestive lies which distort the truth, and God’s character in the believers heart.

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are. 1 Peter 5:8-9 NLT

The Devil is a liar and Has always been lying from the beginning(John 8:44). It’s very important to arm yourself with the truth which is God’s word. You have to put on the full armor of God to withstand the wiles of the evil one(Ephesians 6:11-18). Submit to God resist the devil and he will flee(James 4:7)

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

It is normal to face challenges in a fallen world, and it’s not easy being a CHRISTIAN in a fallen world, but we have victory in Christ. There is no amount of suffering that we can face in this world that’s greater than what Jesus faced. He himself knows how it feels, and He can sympathize with our infirmities for He was betrayed, killed, beaten, lied upon and cursed by men. Yet He rose victorious over darkness.

The righteous person faces many troubles, but the LORD comes to the rescue each time. Psalm 34:19 NLT

The best news is we have victory in Jesus Christ and the glory to be revealed is much greater than this current suffering(Romans 8:18). Now, this does not mean that one must always suffer all the time to be saved. suffering is not always God’s will sometimes for our lives, but the Bible says that when we are persecuted or face opposition due to our faith in Christ we should rejoice, because God is glorified through it all. It’s important to remember not all suffering glorifies God, so exercise wisdom.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Romans 8:18

Jesus suffered persecution and suffering, even to the point of death, for our sins.
How can we embody his attitude during testing times? Isn’t that the point?
He has set an example for us to follow on how to walk in humility, selflessness, patience and lowliness even to the point of death, just like He did. Be encouraged brethren to know that no matter how hard it looks and feels, victory is guaranteed to those who remain in Christ till the end.

But the one who endures to the end will be saved. Matthew 24:13 NLT

Suffering can lead to two results: either dissatisfaction, resentment, bitterness and unforgiveness or patience, love, hope, endurance, character and growth. Do not let the circumstances change your heart towards God, but let God change your heart towards your circumstances.

if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us. 2 Timothy 2:12

One’s attitude towards the suffering and through it will determine one’s outlook. As Christians we are called to be faithful and to carry ourselves in love, selflessness, forgiveness, graciousness, kindness, self control and humility towards all including those who hate us or speak ill of us. We are called to be a light in a dark place and that includes in both good and bad seasons. Be encouraged, beloved for all things are working out for your good and for the glory of God. keep God’s word in your heart and let your light shine for the world to see and glorify Our Father in Heaven. It is written in Acts 14:22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. Be encouraged to know that God will use your story for the benefit of others so whatever challenges you face glorify Jesus through it all.

So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold-though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. 1 Peter 1:6-7 NLT

God knows our challenges and has promised that He will never leave nor forsake us and that all things are working for our good in accordance with his eternal plan for our lives. So keep trusting in Jesus and praising through the storm. For the victory is here and victory belongs to Jesus which he has given unto those who trust in Him. Paul wrote to the church in Corinth(If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort. 2 Corinthians 1:6-7 )
(Glory be to God our Father and the Father of our LORD Jesus Christ who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3). Remember God has already made a way just trust in Him and let him do that which only He can do. Be encouraged by knowing nothing you may go through will ever change God’s love towards you(Romans 8:35-39)

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:1-5

May the Almighty and Faithful God, Father of Our LORD Jesus Christ bless you and keep you in peace that surpasses all standing through Christ Our Lord! Amen.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18