Don’t Trust Your Instincts About Suffering

Our instincts tell us that suffering is to be avoided in all cases. Sometimes suffering is the result of poor choices, and while God can redeem that suffering, it is better to avoid that kind of suffering. But our instincts tell us that ALL suffering is bad, even when we suffer persecution or difficulty from serving God. The disciples, however, rejoiced that they were qualified to suffer disgrace. Suffering for the name of Christ is actually an affirmation of one’s worthiness as a servant of God.