Sometimes we have to take unpleasant medicine or treatment in order to be saved from the ravages of a disease.
Sometimes the "cure is worse than the disease."
Sometimes we are misled by empty promises. For instance, they will tell you, "after the doctor takes out your tonsils, you can have all the ice cream you want." Yes, but they fail to tell you that your throat will be so sore that you won't want any ice cream.
And sometimes we are pleasantly surprised when the treatment is less traumatic than we expected.
But, when it relieves us of our suffering and loss, we are glad to get relief from our sickness.
Following Jesus is not really a negative, though negative things often happen to those who choose to follow Jesus in living godly.
2 Timothy 3:12
(12) Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
There are the extreme situations when believers are persecuted to death, but most of the things, which believers in the west "suffer" are inconveniences or not being pampered.
But when we boil it all down, our suffering in this life is worth it, for the eternal life we will enjoy with Christ.
Romans 8:18
(18) For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18
(17) For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
(18) While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Don't let the trials of life deter you in your walk with God.
Galatians 6:7-9
(7) Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
(8) For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
(9) And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Even in the most dire of circumstances, we should not be discouraged. We must keep our eyes on the final result.
Matthew 10:16-24
(16) Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
(17) But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;
(18) And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
(19) But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
(20) For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.
(21) And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.
(22) And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
(23) But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.
(24) The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.
Be Strong, Stand Fast, Man Up
1 Corinthians 16:13
(13) Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong
Sometimes the "cure is worse than the disease."
Sometimes we are misled by empty promises. For instance, they will tell you, "after the doctor takes out your tonsils, you can have all the ice cream you want." Yes, but they fail to tell you that your throat will be so sore that you won't want any ice cream.
And sometimes we are pleasantly surprised when the treatment is less traumatic than we expected.
But, when it relieves us of our suffering and loss, we are glad to get relief from our sickness.
Following Jesus is not really a negative, though negative things often happen to those who choose to follow Jesus in living godly.
2 Timothy 3:12
(12) Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
There are the extreme situations when believers are persecuted to death, but most of the things, which believers in the west "suffer" are inconveniences or not being pampered.
But when we boil it all down, our suffering in this life is worth it, for the eternal life we will enjoy with Christ.
Romans 8:18
(18) For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18
(17) For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
(18) While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Don't let the trials of life deter you in your walk with God.
Galatians 6:7-9
(7) Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
(8) For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
(9) And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Even in the most dire of circumstances, we should not be discouraged. We must keep our eyes on the final result.
Matthew 10:16-24
(16) Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
(17) But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;
(18) And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
(19) But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
(20) For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.
(21) And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.
(22) And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
(23) But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.
(24) The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.
Be Strong, Stand Fast, Man Up
1 Corinthians 16:13
(13) Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong
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