GOT PERSEVERANCE?: II Thessalonians 1:4-5

"Therefore, among God's churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring. All this is evidence that God's judgement is right, and as a  result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering." II Thessalonians 1:4-5

I have seen some very good teachers in my time as an educator. Frankly, none of the best teachers I have known teach honors classes. It is easy to teach A students because they already know how to get an A. Teaching low performing students how to  improve, now that's a challenge. My point is that I know people who just want to "teach" good kids and not be bothered by any students who have issues. Well,  seeing an educator endure all the trials of a challenging group of students is proof to me that they are a good, if not a great, educator. As a Christian, persevering by faith through persecutions and trials is "proof" of authentic Christianity. 

Sometimes we get things backwards in that we think that going through difficult times is proof that God does not love us. Trials and how we respond to them are the test to see if we are worthy. Listen, I know this is not what we want to hear, but, it is what the Bible says, so it is the truth by which we must govern our lives. 

The encouragement is that just because you are experiencing some hardships that does not mean you are outside of God's will and protection. Remember Romans 8:28, that God will work all things out for the good. Think of Joseph and how after years of being sold into slavery and prison time for honoring his boss (even though his bosses wife was anything but honorable), he ends up basically ruling the known world and saving his family. 

If you are in a trial, seek God and endure, persevere and walk by faith, knowing that God has you where he wants you and he will work it out for the good. 

Father, sometimes it is hard to see that you are with us in the middle of a trial. Show us yourself. Be our rock of refuge today! Praise be to you in us today!