We Are Destined for Trials
Key Verse to Read and Treasure
But you know that we are destined for such troubles. Even while we were with you, we warned you that troubles would soon come—and they did, as you well know—I Thessalonians 3:3,4
For Insight
It’s not what we like to hear. We want to feel our earthly journeys are special and unique, that we are set apart because we belong to the Lord. We want to experience the blessed, victorious, prosperous life that would make us different from the world around us. While blessing, prosperity, and victory are ours when we belong to Jesus, so is suffering and pain.
Paul and Silas narrowly escaped the mob that was coming at them in Thessalonica. When the mob couldn’t locate them, they targeted and mistreated those they believed knew the whereabouts of Paul and Silas. It was a time filled with great trouble, but Paul reminded the believers in his letter he had told them suffering was ahead and they should not be surprised at suffering for the Gospel’s sake also.
We don’t have to be pursued by angry mobs. All we must do is be a believer and follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. Trying to live the way Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, leads us and what we have read in God’s Word. In fact, all we really need is be born into this world and we will experience suffering and trials in our life. The reason for our suffering dates to original sin in the Garden. But our sin condition continues to cause suffering and pain. Not being surprised by suffering is a message that runs from Genesis to Revelation.
Life Lesson
From the moment we are born we have a natural enemy. It is the same enemy Jesus had. The same enemy every human being has. We do not have to be doing anything special or extraordinary for Jesus. Just living and breathing the devil will target us. But we can also be strengthened knowing when we have faith in Jesus, He will come alongside us to strengthen and help us. Suffering is inevitable but so is the help of God when we believe and trust in him.
Prayer
Lord, we don’t want to suffer and if we had our way we would not. But thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ we have help to endure, overcome and be victorious when we do suffer in this life. Amen
Digging Deeper
Devotionally Yours 