Some of God’s purposes in allowing suffering and persecution.

It is hard to see people suffer, especially Christians being persecuted for their faith, for doing and being good. But we need to have a higher perspective.

God is like a good coach, he puts his “players” through difficulties so they can win, both on the field and in life.  Those who watch the players suffering while being pushed to their limit, but the players accept this for they have a wider, bigger view; they are willing to suffer because they have their eyes on the goal. Here are God’s goals for his players, and what 3 of His players had to say about it.

Paul in Romans 5:3-5 “… we also GLORY in our sufferings, because we KNOW that suffering produces PERSVERANCE; perseverance,CHARACTER; and character,HOPE. And hope does not put us to shame….” Not many have suffered more than Paul, nor have many earned more rewards.

James in Jame 1:2-4 Consider it PURE JOY, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you KNOW that the testing of your faith produces PERSEVERANCE. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be MATURE AND COMPLETE, not lacking ANYTHING. He was stoned to death.

Jesus in Matthew 5:10-12 “BLESSED are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for THEIRS IS the kingdom of heaven. BLESSED are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. REJOICE AND BE GLAD, because GREAT IS YOUR REWARD IN HEAVEN….. No one suffered more than Jesus.

According to the world, this is upside down thinking, but it is actually rightside up, it is God’s thoughts which are higher than ours, as you know. This is where faith comes in: are we going to trust God more than we trust ourselves? Choose obedience or human thinking?

More on this tomorrow.

Picture: Nigerian widows whose husbands were martyrs for Christ