“That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. For verily ... we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know” (1 Thess. 3:3-4).
Let not the Christian who walks with the Lord in this Christ-rejecting world think that he shall escape its scorn and reproach, “for unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake,” and “we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” “For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ,” “for which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.” “For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps,” “that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead,” and “who comforteth us in all our tribulation.”
How short is earth’s little while,
To suffer reproach for Him
Who, though troubles beset us,
Sustaineth us to the end.
Phil. 1:29; Acts 14:22; 2 Cor. 1:5; 4:16; 1 Peter 2:19-21; 2 Cor. 1:9,4.