Affliction- Paul Wasn't Thinking a Clothing Company.

"...that no one be moved by these AFFLICTION. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this." 1 Thessalonians 3:3

This past Sunday night at Origin we forwent our normal gathering and in place of normal we read last week's news articles on Christians around the world suffering for their faith in the gospel. After reading a handful of articles we just broke up in groups and prayed. The stories of these pastors, men, women and most of all the children being beaten, killed, tortured has broken through my American stupor. I want God to relieve their suffering but 1 Thessalonians asks something different. Maybe my prayer shouldn't be for their relief but for my joy.

Paul's encouragement to the suffering church in Thessalonica is that affliction is their destiny. It doesn't sound like good news but it is. Paul doesn't say they are destined for stuff. Paul is not saying God is distant. He doesn't say, "Just have more faith and God will give you a great life." Paul's not even apologetic as if he is afraid affliction isn't a good sales pitch for the gospel.

He says, "we are destined" and that IS encouraging.

What Paul IS saying...

1. It's not accidental affliction it's their destiny. God isn't distant or passive but determining those who worship and follow him to suffer.

Doesn't seem immediately encouraging but it is.

2. This affliction is destined by God so therefore it's good. Now the encouragement becomes more noticeable.

3. The joy of God is in the affliction not away from it. Here is the main point of the passage. The more comfort the less joy. The more affliction the greater the joy.

We do pray for the relief of Christians around the world suffering for the sake of the glory of God seen in the face of Jesus. Yet by praying for their relief I may be praying against their joy.

The implications of this passage are as hard to stare at as it is keeping my eyes wide open to the sun. I'm praying I go blind while staring at the light of this verse.

Persecuted Christians around the world please continue to fight the good fight of the faith, take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses and may your joy be evident in the hour of affliction and may your affliction be my affliction.