To be a faithful Christian, we must prepare ourselves to face troubles.
· In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted – 2 timothy 3:12
Suffer for Christ
· Facing temptations and addictions
Ø Everyone will have their personal temptations that they need to overcome
· Teased by friends
· Rejected and hated because of our faith
· Pushing ourselves out of comfort zone to do God’s work
Ø If God wants us to work, The Devil will try to stop us
Reasons of suffering
Ø Often when we start to draw closer to God, we tend to suffer more. But remember that these are God’s tests and when we triumph over it, there is a reward waiting for us. =)
Purpose of suffering
Ø Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. – 2 Timothy 2:10
How do we persevere?
1. Do not give up
a. Have an optimistic mind set.
b. Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win. (Sun Tzu)
c. Do not feel discouraged when troubles arise
2. Turn to Jesus
a. Jesus who has been to earth had experience 1st hand what is human suffering. What we face is what He had faced before.
b. Surrender all our worries to Jesus
i. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. – Matthew 6:34
c. Pray and read the Bible
i. Share all our worries and burden and hurt with God
1. Read Psalms 39
ii. The more the pressure, the more we need to read and pray.
d. Be Still, Know That He is God (Psalm 46:10)
3. Give thanks
a. Give thanks in every situation, just like in the story of Job
b. We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance character; and character, hope. – Romans 5:3-4
4. Continue on with Love
a. Be loving to others even when we are treated wrongly; Forgive others who mistreated you.
b. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. – Colossians 3:12-13
c. Remember that only God is allowed to judge. We just continue to love~
5. Hang onto God’s promises
a. When we fall, do not feel depressed or down
i. You fall into Devil’s trick if you gave up and feel depressed when failing
ii. When we fail, be sure that God will not give up on us and will be there to encourage us up (just remember to pray for forgiveness ;) )
b. If we believe that God can help us through, God will help us through.
c. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. – 1 Corinthians 10:13 (b)
d. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9; 2 Corinthians 4:18
Remember to pray about your sufferings above. Do not forget that only through troubles and problems that we can grow more stronger in Him
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