Soldier's Orders: Willingness To Suffer

Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in Heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you

Matthew 5:11-12 (NKJV)

For to you, it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake…

Philippians 1:29 (NKJV)

No logical person wants to suffer. Therein, most of us try to avoid it.

  • We try to avoid neighborhood bullies… by choosing to walk a longer path home.

  • We try to avoid worldwide misery… by hunkering down in Christian churches.

  • We try to avoid danger and distress… by mapping out a safe and risk-free life.

But our attempts to avoid suffering put us at odds with the King of Glory.

  • Because 'All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution' (2 Timothy 3:12),

  • 'And you will be hated by all for My Name's sake' (Matthew 10:22).

  • 'In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world' (John 16:33).

Actors, models, and talent for Christ:

As His soldiers, be ready and willing to pick up your cross and carry it home. By Captain’s orders…

  • Run toward a bully and call his bluff.

  • Walk toward misery and offer help. 

  • Go unto all the world and show God’s love.

Concerning your rise in the mission fields of art, entertainment, and media, fields tended by 'The prince of the power of the air' (Ephesians 2:2)...

'Do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy' (1 Peter 4:12-13).

Therein, don’t cower, shrink back, or give up. Rising like Christ is the least you can do! Because countless lost and prodigal children are suffering a tragic loss of hope.

By rising and shining as stars for God (no matter how difficult it might be), you not only point toward the True Light… you also point toward unnoticed fans, so they will feel SEEN and not forgotten.

'Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all' (Psalm 34:19).

Soldier's Orders: Willingness To Suffer (Part 34)

NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players.’ Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.

* The purpose of suffering, as exampled and explained by Paul: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+12%3A7-10&version=NKJV

Carey Arban