If you knew that the job you were called to do contained a lot of suffering and trial, would you do it? There are people who have had delusions with the Christian life, and with Christian service. They had the idea that once they became Christians, and got involved in Christian ministry, that life would be so much better. Life would be free of the trials and turmoil they experienced when they were living for the world.
Jesus said: "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
When Jesus called the Apostle Paul to be a messenger to the Gentile world, he told Ananias that Paul would suffer for His name. When we read the book of Acts, and see the activity of Paul in his missionary work, we see that He endured a great deal of suffering. And in the end, he was killed for his good fight of faith.
The Christian life, and the work of Christian ministry, is never easy.
But we find our joy, peace, and eternal hope, in the Lord Jesus Christ.
He has overcome the world, and He will help us to be victorious, over all that we face in this life.
For Jesus, there was the cross to bear, for all man-kind. But on the other-side of that cross, was eternal victory. It will be same for us,
if we remain faithful, and trust Jesus for the strength we need, to endure. GP
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