And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, 1 Thessalonians 1:6
Pain and suffering can be found nearly every place a person may go or look. Finding joy in the middle of suffering is often very difficult to find. People can only see the trouble that is occurring and do not see anything purposeful in it or to be joyful about. Depression is one of the most common feelings that people around the world have. Joy is something that always appears to be just out of reach.
Paul opens his letter to the Thessalonian church telling them how they have become examples to others in following the Lord as they not only received the gospel message with a lot of troubles, but also with the joy of the Holy Spirit.
In life there are a few things that start with a lot of pain and suffering but end up with great joy. Some examples are in building up the muscle strength or a mother giving birth to a child.
Not everyone keeps in mind what the end result will be. As soon as pain starts to occur, many will run the other direction and quit. People want to hear the good news and ignore the negative side of the news. Affliction, persecution, suffering or pain are things no one wants nor really likes to talk about.
Walking with Jesus will bring about affliction in many ways. It begins with the painful process of dying to self. It then becomes a war with the world and persecution begins in various forms. The end result, however, is the joy that the Holy Spirit brings in guaranteeing of being forgiven and given eternal life with God.
One must not just look at the affliction, but at the joy that is also in store.
Going through life you will experience a lot of pain and affliction. As a believer, that affliction will grow exponentially. Not only do you have to battle with self, but you will also have to battle with the spiritual forces of this world. Allow the Holy Spirit to fill you with His presence and bring you the joy in serving God with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength. Know the joy of what is to come and do not give up to the world’s ways of thinking.
Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will receive God’s word into your life; that you will find joy in the Lord; that God will give you strength in times of affliction; and that you will spread God’s word with His joy.
Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash
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