Called to Suffer

When you receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior you become a disciple. A disciple is a learner or follower of Jesus Christ. And in that life long aspiration to be like your Lord you adhere to whatever Jesus has designed for your life. If He chooses suffering for your life, then that is the course and pattern He has designed for you. Whatever the course, we know that it will, at times, include suffering or persecution. John MacArthur, in his book The Power of Suffering, says, "The key to preparedness in the Christian life is the foundation of truth upon which we build our lives - in other words, discipleship. If we are disobedient and refuse to walk loyally the narrow path of discipleship, sufferings, and trials will surprise and defeat us. So it is crucial for us to firmly grasp the role of the disciple. In that way we can guarantee our strength, endurance, and joy in suffering." Are you living a life built on the foundation of truth? Are you walking loyally the narrow path of discipleship? Remember the words of the Apostle Paul: "For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me" (Phil.1:29-30). Don't let suffering surprise you for you were called to this.