Today’s tribulation

so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, which is  manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer; since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels,

2 Thessalonians 1:4-7

The Bible consistently reminds me that I will suffer persecutions and tribulation.  This verse is like a punch to the face as tossed and turned last night due to the pain in my face from what I am guessing is a sinus infection.  But physically, I feel like I got punched. 

This morning, I come to work nervous and unsettled.  The tribulation abounds and my nature is impacted. 

Clients scream for help.  I want to run away.  I want to miss this day. I don’t want to face another meeting to hear the same things. I don’t want to share my laments.   God tells me what to expect.  And I live that life.  There will be rest as promised.  Just not today. 

When the disciples question Jesus about the choice to follow him, Jesus explains that the choice has great rewards but is not without pain.

Looking at them, Jesus said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God, because all things are possible with God.”

Peter began to tell him, “Look, we have left everything and followed you.

Truly I tell you,” Jesus said, “there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for my sake and for the sake of the gospel, “who will not receive a hundred times more, now at this time -- houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecutions -- and eternal life in the age to come.

Mark 10:27-30

The pain comes and the man that has the passion for God has little choice but to dive deeper into the word of God. The meditation on God's words must continue as the day of celebration is near.  A hundred times more is to come and we will celebrate the receipt of this gift. Today is not a day to celebrate. Today is a day of meditation on God’s Word.

Tomorrow God’s power and authority will be celebrated. It’s not “patience,” the word for the fruit of the spirit I live today is “long suffering.” It is a fruit of the spirit and today I bear this fruit. Joy comes in the morning. I will sleep tonight peacefully knowing this.