Suffering

[ACanthony]

Ever since I’ve devoted myself to my faith (I’m 26 and I guess this happened about 3 years ago) I’ve had a lot of peace and joy in my life. I’ve developed into a happy guy. I still experience a lot of setbacks every now and then (a bad day every now and then, some sadness every once in awhile, etc) and I know God puts obstacles in my life to make me stronger. I understand that. However, in some chapters in the Bible the writers talk about suffering because of being a Christian. While I do suffer from things that are beyond my control, I don’t believe I suffer because I’m a Christian. It’s starting to make me think that maybe I’m not evangelizing as much as I can (or at all sometimes). Does this necessarily mean I’m doing something wrong?

 

[Hiskid1973]

Hello friend in Christ. I assume you are in the USA…We basically have been in the past a nation with a lot of christain influence…Many put their religion as christain but that’s about the further is goes compared to living it…Although since the 60’s things started a downhill trend to where that influence has waned…

As for suffering we suffer from things no fault of our own ie. bad weather/accidents.
We also suffer a lot from bad choices reaping what we sowed…A lot of suffering in scripture came from sharing the gospel in a hostile environment…Although some sharing Christ here have been beaten up the majority are just verbal bashing…While I was still working I passed out tracts or discussed my faith the worst I got was telling me where I can go…Now other countries that’s a different story where christianity is a minority…Out Bishop that id over India/Nepal reported like two years ago and recently how churches/homes were burned down and believers killed…Many fled for their lives…Two of our evangelists/church planters were run out of a village for witnessing…Who knows what the future holds…Our economy could sink fast and the climate here could get real hostile fast…Let the Lord direct your step…Be ready in season and out to share the Hope that lies in you…He will never leave you or forsake you…

 

[MarcoPolo]

No, it does not mean you are doing something wrong necessarily. The whole book of Job is about God permitting a righteous person to suffer. God may will that you demonstrate strong faith even when it’s hard to see God’s mercy, who knows. Be sure to offer up your suffering to God. Make an act of the will that as you endure suffering, ask God to accept your suffering in union with Christ’s Passion, and if you want to throw in an intention there, do so of course. Christians who suffer in this way are carrying the world.