As a Christian, I hope to be
_ persecuted
_ slandered
_ arrested
_ tortured
_ killed for my faith
_ sick and/or housebound
_ a full-time care-giver
_ struggling financially
_ alone
Chances are, you didn’t check ANY of the choices. No one wants to be treated poorly, to go without, to be sick, alone, persecuted, arrested or tortured. Why would anyone choose to believe in Jesus if it might mean those things could happen? The only possible reason is that they believe that following Jesus is worth suffering disagreeable treatment.
The Apostle Paul wrote out of that perspective when he penned the following words:
“We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.”
2 Corinthians 6:3-10
Which of those hardships do you fear the most?
Are you willing to trust God no matter what?