Rich Rewards

But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

1 Peter 4:13 NIV

In these days of spiritual darkness and political upheaval, the forward-looking Christian remains optimistic and joyful, knowing that Christ must reign, and “if we endure, we will also reign with him” (2 Timothy 2:12 NIV).

For every man, woman, and child throughout the world who is suffering, our Lord has these words from the Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:11–12 NIV).

Perhaps in your particular circumstances you are undergoing psychological suffering, which is just as real as physical suffering. It may be a suffering that you cannot express, even to your dearest friend—an inward, heartrending, heartbreaking suffering. In the midst of it all, there is the promise of victory. Christ has overcome the world, and you, by faith, can overcome the world through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 John 5:5).

There is a joy to be discovered in the midst of suffering. Sometimes we encounter it in our earthly pilgrimage. Once we acknowledge that possibility, we will be astounded at how possible it is to be “surprised by joy,” as C. S. Lewis put it so effectively in his book by the same title.

Our Father and our God, I pray for endurance to run with joy the race of life to the finish line. I need Your strength to keep running when my legs are weary, when my breath is short, when I can’t see the cloud of witnesses who are cheering me on. When I am suffering, I pray for Your divine support through Jesus, my Friend and Help in times of trouble. Amen.

Billy Graham, Unto the Hills: A Daily Devotional (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2010).