Read 2 Timothy 1:8–18
Do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me
his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the
power of God.
2 Timothy 1:8
By nature, none of us enjoys suffering. Even our Lord prayed, “Father,
if thou be willing, remove this cup from me” (Luke 22:42 KJV), and
Paul prayed three times for God to remove his painful thorn in the
flesh (2 Cor. 12:7–8). But suffering may well be a part of a faithful
Christian life. Christians sometimes suffer because they have done
right and served God. When we suffer for doing good, then we are
sharing Christ’s sufferings (Phil. 3:10) and suffering on behalf of the
whole church (Col. 1:24).
Years ago, I read about a Christian who was in prison because
of his faith. He was to be burned at the stake, and he was certain he
would never be able to endure the suffering. One night, he experimented with pain by putting his little finger into the candle flame. It
hurt, and he immediately withdrew it. “I will disgrace my Lord,” he
said to himself. “I cannot bear the pain.” But when the hour came for
him to die, he praised God and gave a noble witness for Jesus Christ.
God gave him the power when he needed it, and not before.
Something to Ponder
How have you experienced God’s power in the midst of suffering?