“…that no one should be shaken by these afflictions,
for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this.
For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you
that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened,
and you know.” 1st Thessalonians 3:3-4

“Appointed” to tribulations…

There is a price to pay for those wanting to prevail in serving the Lord, because there is an enemy who will do all he can to stop the work, to discourage the worker, and to level down to the ground anyone determined to serve the Lord.

“But the Lord said to him, (about Paul)
‘Go, for he is a chosen vessel of mine
to bear my name before Gentiles, kings,
and the children of Israel.
For I will show him how many things
he must suffer for my name’s sake.’”
Acts 9:15-16

But for those who persevere there is GREAT reward. There are rewards in heaven that we cannot even imagine with our finite minds. But one thing is for sure, no one will regret what price they had to pay for the rewards which will be for all eternity. That’s why the apostle was able to say:

“My brethren, count it all joy
when you fall into various trials…”
James 1:2

It is not natural to rejoice over trials and tribulations, unless we have the perspective which shows us that every trial and every tribulation will produce great and eternal results over which we will rejoice for all eternity. I have seen this work in my own life in such awesomeness that I cannot imagine what it will mean in eternity.

Hang on my child, joy comes in the morning!