SCRIPTURE:
11 And God chose me to be a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of this Good News. 12 That is why I am suffering here in prison. But I am not ashamed of it, for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return.
2 Timothy 1:11-12
OBSERVATION:
Have you ever answered God’s call only to be met with more hardship, opposition, or suffering? If you have, you probably have felt discouraged because of it. But perhaps the suffering you endured was not meant to question your calling…perhaps it was sent to confirm it.
In 2 Timothy 2, the apostle Paul writes to his protege, Timothy, from prison. As he does, he acknowledges the fact that he is suffering in prison. But he clearly states the unlikely source of his suffering: his calling. “God chose me to be a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of this Good News. That is why I am suffering here in prison,” he writes (2 Timothy 1:11b-12a).
In his case, Paul’s suffering was not the result of sin, poor decisions, unwise relationships. It was actually the result of obedience to God. Why? Because our obedience to God causes the devil to put a target on our back. The Bible calls this spiritual warfare. As Paul writes in Ephesians 6:12-13 NIV, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”
This type of suffering––the suffering of spiritual warfare––is not a punishment; it is a privilege. Because this type of suffering is not endured by sinners; it is only endured by the righteous. This type of suffering is confirmation from the devil himself that you are a threat to him because you have answered God’s call on your life. Because think about it––the devil is not unlimited like God. The devil is completely limited. So if you are in a war and you have limited ammunition to fight that war, are you going to use that ammunition on people who aren’t threats to you or people who are threats to you? The fact that you are suffering because of the devil’s attacks show that you are indeed making a difference for the Kingdom of God. So don’t let it discourage you; let it encourage you.
APPLICATION:
Obedience to God is a source of suffering––so learn to make the devil your cheerleader.
A number of months ago, I found myself questioning my calling because of an unexpected wave of suffering and opposition. And oddly enough, the channel through which this suffering came was not through those who were far from God; the attacks came from those who were following Him. In my suffering, I remember questioning God, telling Him “I thought I was obedient to You. I thought I did everything you asked of me in the moment, and now I have to endure this?” And I’ll never forget how God, in His unmistakable still, small voice responded to me, “Yes, you did. That’s why you’re suffering––because you were completely obedient.” In that moment, just like Paul, I realized that obedience always leads to Kingdom rewards––and sometimes, that comes in the privilege of suffering for God.
Suffering because of sin is indeed a punishment. You should definitely avoid this type of suffering at all costs. But suffering because of righteousness is a badge of honor reserved for God’s best.
In the book of Acts, the early church fathers often endured suffering because of their righteousness. And they did not complain because of it; they rejoiced. As Luke writes about them in Acts 5:41-42, “The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.”
So today, let the words of those who have suffered for Christ before you encourage you in your suffering for Christ today. “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9 NIV). “Rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed” (1 Peter 4:13 NIV). And “glory in [y]our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us” (Romans 5:3-5 NIV).
PRAYER:
Jesus,
Thank You for the privilege of getting to suffer for You. Thank You for allowing me to experience Your great love for me through it and for being with me in it. Help me to suffer well. Keep my mouth from complaining, keep my heart from growing cold, and strengthen Your Spirit in me through each and every trial. I love You, Lord. Thank You for loving me.
In Your name I pray,
Amen
