"The Outcome Of Suffering"

"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."  Romans 8:18

Suffering, trials, temptation, sorrow, persecution, pain and tribulation are all part of this life.  Even for the Christian, and perhaps more so.  We are not exempt.  Sometimes we even experience more, mostly because we have become a target for the enemy- the devil- who is out to steal, kill and destroy us.  We are, if we are living as Christ commanded us to live, a great threat to his works and plans.  That being the case, he is out to stop us.  And he will do it by any means possible.  He doesn't "fight fair".  He has one goal in mind-- "take you down" and "take you out". 

If you are "under the gun", if you are on his "radar", if you are in his "sights" then rejoice.  Don't whine.  Don't complain.  Don't get a "poor me" complex.  Don't have a "pity party".  Wait a minute.  You are telling me to "rejoice" when I am persecuted or suffering or in tribulation?  That makes no sense.  No, I am not telling you this, God's word tells us to.  Jesus told us to.

There is suffering and then there is suffering.  When we are suffering for the cause of Christ, when we are suffering for our faith in Him, the way we are to handle it is by "rejoicing".  We don't rejoice because of the suffering, we rejoice in spite of it.  We rejoice because we know this is not the end.  There is an outcome that we are rejoicing over.  When we look past the suffering, we see glory!  That "glory" gives us reason to rejoice.  Jesus looked past the suffering of the cross and at the outcome of His suffering.  This brought Him great joy.

What is the outcome of our suffering for Christ?  What is the result that will cause us to rejoice?
A great reward in heaven.  (Matthew 5:10-12)
You are sharing in Christ's suffering and will share in His glory.  (1 Peter 4:12,13)
It is working patience in you.  (James 1:3)
You shall receive a crown of life.  (James 1:12)
If we suffer with Him, we will reign with Him.  (2 Timothy 2:12)
There will be a glory revealed in us.  (Romans 8:18)

Have a great day.  We may not feel we can rejoice in our suffering for Christ, but when we look at the outcome of that suffering we can greatly rejoice!

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Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell

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