Why do Believers Suffer?

If you serve the Lord Jesus Christ, you will suffer persecution in this world.  It may not be too overwhelming for you, or it may feel completely unbearable.  The fact remains though, "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." - 2 Tim. 3:12

Our Lord Jesus Himself said, "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you." - John 15:18-19

The truth is that the world we live in (our world system) is being controlled by the Devil (see 2 Cor. 4:1-4, 1 John 2:15-17).  The Devil is operating in the world today and his determination and motives are completely contrary to God's (see John 8:44, Eph. 6:12-13).  Christians are unique to this world system because we possess the Holy Spirit of God inside of us; we remain "in" the world but are not to be "of" the world (see Col. 1:13, Heb. 11:13, 1 Pet. 2:9-12).

The Apostle Paul suffered more for the cause of Christ and the Gospel message probably more than any other Christian.  Just look at his trials and tribulations below.

Paul says, "Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches." - 2 Cor. 11:23-28

Paul suffered both physically and mentally; he was in daily anguish, persecution, distress, and troubles beyond most of our comprehension. What led Paul to endure through these trying times in his life?  The answer is: Paul had a mission and motive to serve the Lord Jesus Christ regardless of his circumstances. Paul's fate was in the Lord's hands, and he would not let any hardship deter him from striving forward.  Paul had a passion and deep care for the church (believers in Christ), and he was also highly motivated by his concern for the spiritually lost (the unsaved).  Paul wanted to see sinners saved and he knew this is only accomplished by proclaiming the life-giving message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (see Rom. 1:16, 10:8-15, 1 Cor. 1:17)

So, what is the believer's response to trials and tribulations which we may face today?  How are we to handle these times of physical or mental strains?

James tells us, "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into diverse temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience (endurance). But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting (lacking) nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed...Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him...But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed." - James 1:2-6, 12 & 25

James gives practical advice which may seem like "easy preaching, hard living."  How can we have joy in the midst of difficulty?  James gives us the answer in his above passage.  He says we must have faith to persevere.  He says if we apply faith in a difficult situation, then we can know that our faith will produce endurance for the next trial that comes our way. He goes on to tell us that our endurance will mature us and make us complete (or whole) as God intends.  James tells us, that as believers in Christ, we don't have to lack anything in our spiritual and mental state.  Notice, if you need wisdom on how to persevere, you can ask God and He will provide freely and abundantly.  Faith is the tool that makes God act on our behalf.  We must produce genuine faith which God can honor and utilize effectively on our behalf.  This is the faith the Apostle Paul had, and this is how he persevered through what today would seem absolutely impossible. 

So, can you count your trials, temptations, and tribulations as joyful?  Yes, you can! Notice in the above passage, James assures us that we will be rewarded spiritually with eternal crowns in Heaven and blessed with inner peace and joy, knowing our God is not forgetful but will indeed remember our love and service for Him. (see Rom. 15:13, Heb. 6:9-12, 13:20-21, Rev. 14:13)

The takeaway is that it truly is an overwhelming joy to suffer for the Kingdom of God and our Lord Jesus Christ! (see Acts 5:40-42, Rom. 8:18, 1 Pet. 4:12-16) If we as believers can keep these truths in mind, then no troubling matter will be able to overtake us. (1 Cor. 10:13)