Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
Who hath saved us, called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 2 Timothy 1:8,9.
This passage at first glance is one which raises up a cry of protest. Sufferings? Afflictions? Who wants more of those?
But there is real comfort in this promise that comes only through meeting the condition. Verse 9 uses the word "us" three times and "our" once.
This is one of those interesting paradoxes in the Christian life. I have only a bare understanding and appreciation of it at the moment.
I believe that you have to be careful with this. Certain segments of Christianity seem to be so opposed to the prosperity gospel that they become obsessed with suffering. They end up worshiping pain and affliction and sickness. It sounds like something from a medieval monastery or Catholicism where they preach penance but I've seen it happen in modern churches.
There's a good website that I find helpful at times persecution.com. Last night it helped me cope tremendously and I just want to pass it along.
By Grace,
TRavis
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