This is very difficult to explain to Americans because we enjoy such a wonderful life. Some poor cultures believe that suffering is necessary in order to please God. We know that God does not require our suffering but that does not mean it is not good for us. Suffering will make changes in our soul that nothing else can make. When you meet a person that has suffered greatly they are hard to forget.
Chen is a small Chinese man who was working in Israel for six months. His goal was to take some money back home to his family that was living in poverty. Only one person in the church was able to speak with him but he never missed a service.
Our church began a two month class to teach the basics of Christianity. Chen attended every class with his friend interpreting for him. During the last class, the subject was suffering with Christ when we witness to the unsaved. Everyone was asked to give an illustration from their own experience. When it became Chen's turn, the teacher stopped the class long enough to ask the interpreter if Chen was clear on the subject at hand. After quite an exchange of language, the interpreter looked up and paused. Finally, he said, yes he understands. He then went on to say that Chen had been beaten up, screamed at, whipped several times and put into jail for refusing to deny Jesus.
This little man brought tears to our eyes that day and he will be hard to forget. Although, we could not see it from the outside, Chen had decided to follow our Savior without any reservations. For a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith...may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1 Peter 1:6,7
Suffering can put steel in our soul if we sell out completely to the Gospel. If we want faith that has been proven genuine then suffering is good for us. No matter what kind of trial we face, remember to act in such a way as to bring honor to our Lord.
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