Proven to be true

We proudly tell God’s other churches about your endurance and faithfulness in all the persecutions and hardships you are suffering. And God will use this persecution to show his justice and to make you worthy of his Kingdom, for which you are suffering. In his justice he will pay back those who persecute you. 2 Thessalonians 1:4-6 NLT

Paul, from the text, is telling the believers in Thessalonica that every time they experience suffering it shows “his justice and to make you worthy of his Kingdom.” Though the suffering for Christians may seemed to be undeserving especially when it is brought upon by those who are persecuting them because of their relationship with God, there will come a time when God “will pay back those who persecute you.” For those who do not believe in God, the presence of sufferings proves that there is no God for if there is, He will not allow evil to exist. This kind of thinking is contrary to the teachings of the Scripture. God revealed Himself through His Word. The testimony of God’s Word does not need to be authenticated by any man or a church for its testimony is self-authenticating. So, when God’s Word is spoken or read, it is authoritative for it is God who is speaking and that the Holy Spirit bears witness to it. The things that are happening to us are not mere chance. If we think otherwise, then, we will leave God out of our experiences. For if we start to believe that there is God and we do not want to surrender our lives to Him, we will fear the day of reckoning. This is why many ignore God and His Word. They would rather look at themselves for they think that they are wiser than God. “Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil” (Proverbs 3:7). For those with godly perspective and believes in God and His Word, they will look at sufferings with an understanding that they are meant to bring them closer to God. They may not find the answers immediately when they are seeking one especially in the midst of difficulties, but they know that God can be trusted. “O God, your ways are holy. Is there any god as mighty as you? You are the God of great wonders! You demonstrate your awesome power among the nations” (Psalm 77:13-14). So, when times of difficulties come, instead of despairing, let us look up to Him and acknowledge that He is with us and He is working His will through us. “Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later” (Romans 8:18).

Blessings,