I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead (Philippians 3: 10–11 NIV).
Life at sea was a difficult. Only the hardiest of men (and some women) even attempted it. Months went by without decent food or water. Temperatures went from blazing hot to icy cold. Winds blew constantly. The sun burned your skin. The ship was constantly rocking and swaying. The work was hard and the days long. Sickness was rampant. And there was always the threat of a massive storm that would sink the ship—or worse, pirates! Why did they do it? Why not stay on shore? Because the rewards outweighed the discomfort.
There’s a philosophy in our culture today among Christians and non-Christians alike: If you’re a good person, nothing bad will happen to you. If you’re bad and something terrible happens, then you got what’s coming to you, right? Many a well-meaning Christian believes that if she follows Jesus, she’ll have a great life! Unfortunately, the Bible does not agree. In fact, it often contradicts that very idea. Yes, Jesus promises to give each one of us an abundant life, but His idea of what abundance means and ours may be very different.
One reason bad things happen to good people is to provide evidence for, to empower, and to spread the testimony of the gospel. Here are a few examples from Scripture:
Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den for refusing to stop worshiping God. He was a godly man, above reproach, who had done no wrong. But an angel closed the mouths of the lions and spared Daniel. As a result, King Darius witnessed firsthand the power of the living God and declared that everyone in his kingdom should worship and revere the God of Daniel.
Did you know that the apostle Paul wrote most of his letters to the churches while in prison, and some while he was in chains and standing knee-deep in sewage? Thousands came to know Christ through Paul’s testimony. He was beaten multiple times, shipwrecked, starved, mocked, chained, and imprisoned. Do you think these things empowered his testimony or weakened it? Would his words have had the same impact if he had been wealthy, well-loved by everyone, and living in comfort?
A friend of mine told me that he just got laid off from his job. He said it so casually that I had to ask him to repeat it. He’s the breadwinner in his family, and he didn’t seem the slightest upset or concerned. He told me that he knows God will not let his family starve. In this trembling economy where jobs are few, his faith just blew me away. And it helped to strengthen my own faith too. Also I bet any non-believer who crosses this man’s path will be touched as well by his awesome testimony of the love and faithfulness of God.
So, if you’re suffering right now, consider that perhaps God is allowing this problem to increase your testimony of His love to others. There is no greater task on earth or in heaven!
However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name (1 Peter 4:16 NIV).
MaryLu Tyndall