Nowhere does the Bible teach that Christians are to be exempt from the tribulations and natural disasters
that come upon the world. It does teach that the Christian can face
tribulation, crisis, calamity, and personal suffering with a
supernatural power that is not available to the person outside Christ.
The early Christians were able to experience joy in their hearts in the
midst of trials, troubles, and depression. They counted suffering for
Christ not as a burden or misfortune, but as a great honor, as evidence
that Christ counted them worthy to witness to Him through suffering.
They never forgot what Christ Himself had gone through for their
salvation; and to suffer for His name’s sake was regarded as a gift
rather than a cross. Christians can rejoice in tribulation because they
have eternity’s values in view. When the pressures are on, they look
beyond their present predicaments to the glories of heaven. The thought
of the future life with its prerogatives and joys helps to make the
trials of the present seem light and transient.
Prayer for the day
Father, help me to go beyond the
afflictions and tribulations of our age, and to look toward the
inheritance reserved for us in heaven.
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