It Isn't Easy

I know sometimes this life you have signed up for isn’t easy. I know sometimes it would be easy in some sense of the word to walk away. I know you could make more money, have less stress, and spend more time with your family if you quit. I know there are difficult brethren sometimes, impossibly tangled messes you are asked to be the arbitrator over, personal demons you combat, and the weight of striving to faithfully and fully declare the whole counsel of God. It can be a taxing and heavy burden. 

I want to remind you that when you face these things…

1. Do not be surprised:

“In the world you will have tribulation” John 16:33.

“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” 2 Timothy 3:12.

2. You are not the first and those who proceeded you in this are a pretty good group to be identified with:

“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake for so persecuted they the prophets who were before you” Matthew 5:11-12.

“…knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world” 1 Peter 5:9.

3. You identify with Jesus:

“A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.” John 15:20a

“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” 1 Peter 2:20-21.

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part He is evil spoken of, but on your part He is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.” 1 Peter 4:12-16

And, you have brothers and sisters all over the world who are FOR you, who understand, and who care. I want you to know we understand, this is not always easy and sometimes it is really hard. But, the work of sharing the Word of God is worth it.