Suffering

 1 Peter 4:16 ESV 

Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.  
 

Everyone suffers. Some suffering is deserved; some isn't. Christians have extra sufferings.

On top of worldly sufferings, Christians also get mocked, ill treated, spoken badly of, and persecuted. Many to this day are even martyred for their faith in places like Nigeria and North Korea. Suffering feels shameful.

Counterintuitively, the Apostle Peter commands us not to be ashamed, not to shame us if we feel that way, but to encourage us. If we suffer as Christians, we have no need to feel ashamed. Even if we were to deservedly suffer for some sinful action, we can leave our shame at the foot of the cross.

The early church rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for the sake of Christ. To this day, the 'persecuted church's doesn't tend to ask for persecution to stop. 'Blessed are the persecuted': they tend to ask for prayer for divine help to endure suffering.

'Almighty God, please help us to bear up under suffering for you. May we leave our shame with you and trust you to help us overcome. In the name of Christ we ask this, amen'. 

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