Suffering for Christ,

It's a badge of honor, it's a prized possession, it's a humbling experience, it's a dependence on God and a dying of the sinful flesh, it's a weakness in which Christ thrives in strongly, it's a reward, it's a sign of our blessed-hood, it's a crying out , "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" it's a resurrection into our new self, its a delight when people say all matter of evil against you, it's a joy when people exclude you out because of Christ, it's a greatness to suffer in the manner that our brothers and sisters in the holy scriptures suffered, it's a blessed assurance that Jesus is mine. Yes it is good to suffer, it literally brings us to our knees and we cry out to God for his guidance and wisdom. King David said;

Psa 119:71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.

When we suffer for Christ we humble our bowed broken hearts to his will for our lives.

We grow dependent on God more and more and on us less and less. Does it hurt?, YES, does it feel painful?, YES, does it feel confusing at times?, YES, but is it good for us?, YES YES YES !!!!

And not only is it good to suffer for Christ but it has been given to us as a reward to suffer. Brother Paul said,

Php 1:29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

Php 1:30 Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

Jesus Christ also tells us,

Mat 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Mat 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

I get so much comfort from the Word of God, especially in my afflictions, so now when I go through trials and tribulations I think of how blessed I am and how unworthy I am to suffer some of the same things that the saints before me suffered. So be not ashamed to suffer as a Christian, but glorify God in the midst of the storm ( and make the devil mad by lifting up a praise of thanksgiving, for despite our afflictions God is still good and he is still in control and all things will work together for our good) =)

Amen !

1Pe 4:16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. !!!!