Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer for the name. (Acts 5:41)
And the name is Jesus. The apostles, probably Peter and John, had been imprisoned and beaten then threatened to stop preaching Jesus. When they were released what did they do? Did they throw themselves before God complaining and asking God why he had allowed this hardship to fall upon them? No! They rejoiced.
Rejoice in Your Suffering
Rejoicing isn’t a somber prayer with an insincere or forced thank you to God. Webster defines rejoice as “to feel joy or great delight.” Their suffering was not an occasion to question God; it was a time to praise God for they were sharing in the suffering of Jesus and advancing the kingdom.
Why?
How do we handle suffering today? When things don’t go right, when bad things happen – a death in the family or a lost job – do we praise God and rejoice in our suffering? Do we feel joy or great delight? It is in our suffering where we witness the power of God to overcome. Through suffering He develops character in us. We can rejoice that He has found us worthy to suffer. He loves you enough to bring you through the valley in order to spend time with you developing you into who he wants you to be.
Prayer
Jesus, thank you for suffering for us and for bringing me through my own valleys in this life. Amen and amen.
