2 Timothy 3 – 4

There’s a lot going on in this passage and Paul is very busy! But what stood out to me, were the first couple of verses.

In today’s passage Paul talks to Timothy about the persecutions and sufferings in which he endured and how the Lord had rescued him. In verse 12 he says “in fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus WILL be persecuted”. This passage really challenged me – Why would God want us to suffer…?

Almost 7 years ago my mam died. I had a vague idea in my head who God was – how he was the invisible man in mass – but I never had a relationship with him. As I started going to Urban Junction I was learning more about this God guy. All my hurt and sorrow turned into anger and bitterness and I hated God. I blamed him for the suffering I felt due to him taking away the most precious person I had.

This passage is basically giving us a heads up! Being a Christian doesn’t mean we have it all easy, we still get confronted with hard times and to be honest most of my struggles have actually happened since I’ve become a Christian! When I look back on times of hardship or times in battles I realise that I’ve probably grown the most through these times – I’m a lot stronger today because of them and I wouldn’t have met some great people or done most things today if it wasn’t for those times.

During these hard times I find it hard to focus on God or to believe that he is actually standing alongside me. We will be tried and persecuted but we shouldn’t be frightened, angry or disappointed as He is with us every step of the way…

I still really struggle with this today, and I’m sure I will for a very long time! As Christians we’re basically meant to open our arms to hurt and suffering, but to also hold them open to God every step of the way…

Are you willing to suffer for Jesus?