Dear friends, don't be surprised or shocked that you are going through testing that is like walking through fire. Be glad for the chance to suffer as Christ suffered. It will prepare you for even greater happiness when he makes his glorious return.
Count it a blessing when you suffer for being a Christian. This shows that God's glorious Spirit is with you. But you deserve to suffer if you are a murderer, a thief, a crook, or a busybody. Don't be ashamed to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God that you belong to him.
1 Peter 4:12-16
How does suffering prepare you for "greater happiness" when Christ returns? Our suffering here is like the suffering that Jesus Himself experienced. Christians suffer, not because they have done something wrong, but because they have done something right. We suffer because we give our hearts and minds to Jesus, and so we become like Him which includes suffering.
Even as human beings there is as bond of fellowship that develops when we suffer together or have the same kind of suffering as someone else. There are many support groups that are based on the common experience of suffering. The bond of suffering together can form life long relationships.
When you suffer as Christ suffered, the same thing is true. Jesus Himself will be your support group and you will long to see Him face to face because you know what it was like for Jesus here on this earth! Common affliction draws people together and it draws men to Jesus!
Here is a most amazing truth! If you suffer like Jesus did here on this earth and walk in the way He has appointed for you, you will begin to look like Jesus yourself. When you get to heaven, Jesus will be the one who looks like you, or perhaps I should say, you will look like Him. It is what happens when you suffer together!
“Lord Jesus, thank You for letting me suffer on this earth as You suffered. May I today feel the pain and count it as joy because of You! What a glorious day it will be when either You come or I go, and I will see You face to face. Amen."
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