1 Peter 4:12–13; 5:6–11
Do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. (1 Pet. 4:12)
IN MAY 2010 SUNIL PATTANAYAP and six other missionary students were attacked without provocation. Suspected anti-Christian extremists armed with wooden sticks, iron rods, and fluorescent light bulbs broke into their Mumbai, India, school and beat them. Several victims were hospitalized with broken bones. Another lost many teeth and required extensive dental surgery. Sunil said, “For a moment I was shocked about why this was happening to me. Then I understood that the time had come for me to glorify His name. It was my privilege to suffer for Christ and I am happy today because I can testify that God protected me and brought me safe from death to proclaim His Word and stand as a living testimony for Christ with a strong faith.”
I dare say many of us would be as shocked as Sunil was to face such persecution. Yet suffering for our Savior is to be expected. Jesus said, “A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also” (John 15:20). We will share in Christ’s suffering, but we will also share in His glory (2 Thess. 2:14).
No one is exempt from trouble. When it comes, we can be assured Jesus will see us through (John 16:33). Our testimony of His deliverance will glorify Christ, increase our faith, and bolster the faith of others.
Pray for Christians around the world as they witness for Jesus.
Nancy Reinke lives in the Colorado Rockies with her artist husband. She enjoys writing, hiking, grandmothering, and encouraging others.
