Suffer!

Philippians 1: 29

²⁹ 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...

I received an e-mail from someone yesterday, telling about a young woman who just had a baby, who is also suffering with stage 4 breast cancer.

I get these kinds of stories that come my way every day. I saw her picture, and it almost broke my heart.

I like many of you, wonder... “Why in the world does this woman have to go through something so trying?”

Have we missed that hardship is actually a part of the Gospel?

So can we believe in Jesus, apart from suffering?

That doesn’t appear to be what Paul is telling the church at Philippi.

Did you ever stop to think, that some people suffer, just so we can have an opportunity to bring them compassion?

Maybe God uses the suffering of other saints, to show our true heart?

Maybe instead of being overwhelmed with other people having to go through tough times, we should actually count these as opportunities for us?

Has He shown you an opportunity as of late? Have you prayed for that person/persons?

What’s keeping you from showing compassion?

Have you misinterpreted the Gospel, as this free and easy walk in the park?

Looks no further than the cross, and you’ll see that walking faithfully with God has a price to pay.

The cost of following Jesus, will one day be worth the price of admission.

Frankly, if you think you can get to Heaven one day without turmoil, then maybe you need to read the red letters in your Bible again...