Philippians 1:29

NASB	NLT	VOICE
29 For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer on His behalf,	29 For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him.	29 And now, you have been given the privilege of not only believing in Jesus the Anointed, our Liberating King, but being chosen to suffer for Him as well.

Paul believed that suffering for Christ was a privilege. This is the true definition of why following Christ is an upside-down mindset. We don’t consider suffering as a privilege we receive. We believe that  suffering is wrong, evil, angry, and bad. However, when we do suffer, we get to represent Christ. As long as we truthfully and intentionally represent Christ, how we respond and talk about that suffering affects us and those around us for good. Suffering actually has these benefits for our spiritual walk:

• It allows us to take our eyes off the earthly comforts. It reminds us to keep our focus on God and his provision instead of the tangible items we can receive on our own.
• It weeds out superficial believers. It shows how much we truly trust and lean on God when face times of chaos and suffering.
• It strengthens the faith of those who endure. Continuously studying and talking with God during our time of suffering will strengthen our relationship with him.
• It gives an example for others who may follow us. Non-Christians watch Christians to see if we’ll be truthful or hypocritical. An honest representation is the best kind of representation.

When we suffer for our faith, it doesn’t mean that we have done something wrong. It can actually a sign of being faithful. Trust God in all circumstances for he has a purpose in everything. It doesn’t mean that God causes our suffering. It means that God can use the suffering for a purpose that strengthens the plan that he created us to follow. Paul and his apostles considered it a high honor to be identified with Jesus in suffering. The suffer we face as Christians should build us up; not tear us down.

Matthew 5:11-12

NASB	NLT	VOICE
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.	11 “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers.	11 And blessed are you, blessed are all of you, when people persecute you or denigrate you or despise you or tell lies about you on My account.
12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.	12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.	12 But when this happens, rejoice. Be glad. Remember that God’s prophets have been persecuted in the past. And know that in heaven, you have a great reward.

Jesus said that we should be happy when we’re persecuted for our faith. When we suffer because we’re a Christian, we should be happy about it. Like what Paul mentioned, persecution can be good because:

• It keeps our focus on God’s divine provision.
• It ensures we are intentional in our belief system with God.
• It strengthens our faith the more we endure the suffering.
• It serves as an example to others.

We can be comforted knowing that God’s greatest followers and believers suffered. The fact that Christians over time around the world have suffered and celebrated is the evidence of what it means to be faithful in God. Faithless people would be unnoticed in the future God will reward the faithful. The faithful will be guaranteed a spot in the Kingdom of God. The faithless risk the final judgment to see if there is a spot for them in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Next slice of manna: Manna for the Mind #192