Suffering for the Good

When I think about suffering it is never a pleasant thought.  I don't think it would be for anyone.  But constantly in my faith I find that many people did and do suffer.  There is a book called Jesus Freaks that talks about people in the last century really who suffered in the name of Christ.  We tend to call them martyrs.  These people I almost admire.  They weren't like Peter and denied knowing Christ when asked.  Tons of people throughout the years have suffered all in the name, and that's a scary thought.

Although I will most likely not be going to countries that are hostile to Christianity while on my trip with YWAM, there is a chance I could be.  That's scary as butt for me.  To think of going into a country where people are not receptive to Gospel and could imprison me or my team while on the trip is not something I want to think about.  But it is a possibility. 

This topic has been on the back of my mind for a while now, because again it is something that could happen to me, but its been way back on my mind and I tend not to stress about it.  Still, there are times when I sit and think that I could easily loose my life all for Christ.  That's CRAZY!  Is that something I really want to do?  Is that a risk I want to take?  Am I willing to make my mom worry while I am away?  Would I actually stand up and profess Jesus whole heartily in the times of trouble like Paul, or would I deny running in the same crowd of Jesus like Peter? 

Questions, questions, questions!!!! I want to say that I would do anything, and that no matter what I would not be a coward and run from the situation, but yet, I have never been imprisoned for my faith so I don't know what exactly my reaction would be. 

So after some deep searching and preparing, and reading, and stressing, and thinking, and running, and going through all the motions, and of course praying about this, I came upon a verse that put my mind at ease during my Bible study last night.  It simply says,

     "Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer      

     dishonor for the name.  And every day in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease 

     teaching and preaching Jesus as Christ."   Acts 5:41-42

They considered themselves worthy to suffer dishonor.  Well hello smack in the face.  Thanks God for showing me my worries are nothing and that I am once again not in control.  I HAVE TO CONSIDER MYSELF WORTHY IF I AM DISHONORED.  If I suffer for his name, then I am doing something right.  I need not be worried about whether someone will reject me, or if I am locked in prison, cause it would be an honor. 

Crazy how I would think that being in prison for sharing my faith or suffering for His name would be a bad thing.  When in all actuality it means that I am doing what is good.  When I read Paul's letters from prison he never has a negative look about it, he was happy to be there.  He knew he was doing good and he was there not because of what he did was wrong, but because people didn't want to hear it and the only way to shut him up (at least they thought) was to lock him up.  Apparently that didn't work because Paul still taught and gave awesome lessons while there, but he considered it a good thing.

That's how I have to look at it.  As much as it would be scary or might be hard to go through.  If anything were to happen to me while on my trip, I WILL consider it an honor and would consider myself worthy because I did it in His name.