In the New Testament, the Book of Acts chapter 14, verse 22 talks about Paul & Barnabus, and says this:
"...they strengthened the believers. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God."
(Acts 14:22)(NLT)
There is a misguided doctrine of Christianity that tells you that all you need to do is give yourself to Christ and life will be beautiful. You'll be blessed with riches, and a prosperous life, and blah, blah, blah.
Call it the Success Doctrine, call it the Prosperity Doctrine, call it what you want. I call it a misguided doctrine.
While such prosperity and blessings of monetary riches can & do happen, it is not automatic or for every believer, by any stretch of the truth.
In fact, Jesus himself says that we -- his followers -- will have a life of suffering. This verse above also clearly states that all the days of our lives will not constantly be full of cupcakes and roses while we are here on earth.
Though some may be blessed in such ways while here, that will be to fulfill parts of God's ultimate plan. For most of us such continuously happy, easy days will not come until we're in heaven.
While here on earth, though, to grow us to be more like Christ, the bible states that we will have a life of suffering, and must 'suffer many hardships' during our time here.
Consider This
Consider that in order to ‘grow,’ a thing has to be stretched, pushed & pulled this way & that. It has to be put under stress, is reshaped and changed, in order to ‘grow.’
Remember too, that in our weakness, He is strong.
May He bless you and protect you through it all. Thank You, Father, for your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
