"..we're homesick to be with the Master.." 2 Corinthians 5:6-9 (TPT)

We have our true home in heaven, a place waiting for us in which we are more than welcome.  

We existed in heaven long before we were ever born, it is our place of origin.  We have taken comfort in this natural fallen world but we are not fully at rest for it this is not our final destination, as the scripture says “we’re homesick to be with the Master”.

Paul uses this way of speaking when he was beaten and imprisoned by the Romans not knowing when he might be killed for his faith in Jesus.  

God miraculously keeps him from death by making an impression of the warden of the prison where Paul was being held and allowed Luke to come to Paul to encourage him to write to the fellow believers about being strong in their faith especially in the face of persecution.

Even though Paul had his death looming over him by the Roman authorities, he changed his disposition from being fearful, to being resolute about the outcome.  Whether he lived or died he was in God’s presence continually and made that the underlying theme of everything he wrote, so it made no difference to him either way.

“For what is life? To me, it is Christ. Death, then, will bring more.”  Philippians 1:21 (GNT)

Life in Christ (as Paul saw it) wasn’t about what we gain in this life like power or prestige, Paul had all of this before he knew Jesus.  When he met Jesus on the road to Damascus he found that everything that he held dear was turned on its head.  He understood that there was nothing greater than the revelation of Christ Jesus, for in Him was the essence of life itself.  

Looking at Paul’s life from the outside observances you could say that he lived a pretty miserable life following Christ, he was tortured, imprisoned, misunderstood, and treated as a common criminal.  But Paul saw something greater, he saw Jesus.  

As Paul’s life in Christ grew he became increasingly aware that there was more and more of Jesus to encounter.  As Paul became less and less in the eyes of those connected to the Roman government, he became more and more in the eyes of Jesus and more revelation was given to him.

You could make the argument “what good is a revelation if you are imprisoned and facing death?” The answer is simple, it is a matter of perspective.  Paul saw his temporary pains and trials of his life as something which helped him to focus on what he was to become through his suffering, rather than looking at the suffering as an end in itself. 

“I am convinced that any suffering we endure is less than nothing compared to the magnitude of glory that is about to be unveiled within us.”  Romans 8:18 (TPT)

In America we have been spoon-fed a gospel of prosperity which looks at suffering as something that we shouldn’t endure, but Paul never saw it that way, he saw suffering as something that perfects us into becoming more like Christ.

I can even celebrate the sorrows I have experienced on your behalf; for as I join with you in your difficulties, it helps you to discover what lacks in your understanding of the sufferings Jesus Christ experienced for his body, the church. Colossians 1:24 (TPT)

Though the sufferings of Jesus were complete and sufficient to transfer righteousness and forgiveness to every believer, yet Paul’s sufferings were meant to be an example of Christ and a testimony to the churches that he planted that his ministry was indeed sincere.

How can we experience joy in suffering?  Like I said earlier it is a matter of perspective, it is seeing Jesus live out His life through us as we joyfully surrender ourselves to Him and allow Him to transform us.

There is a difference between suffering for the faith, and suffering because of illness.  If we experience illness and it can also cause great pain and suffering in our lives, but we were never meant to suffer on account of illness, we were meant to receive healing and restoration for our illnesses by praying and also having others pray for our infirmities.

Are there any sick among you? Then ask the elders of the church to come and pray over the sick and anoint them with oil in the name of our Lord. And the prayer of faith will heal the sick and the Lord will raise them up, and if they have committed sins they will be forgiven. James 5:14-15 (TPT)

To end this thought, there is the awareness that we have such a great savior who doesn’t allow things to happen in our lives just by chance, everything has a purpose and we can recognize that purpose by always giving thanks from a grateful heart, praising Him for His tender mercies and love.  

We don’t have to receive illness, in fact, we can rebuke the devil and tell him no more and receive divine health and healing for our bodies by standing firm in Christ and His provision for us.

When it comes to suffering for our faith, we can receive it with joy knowing that our trial and testing is transforming 

transforming us to become more like Christ every day.

My fellow believers, when it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest joy that you can!  For you know that when your faith is tested it stirs up power within you to endure all things. And then as your endurance grows even stronger it will release perfection into every part of your being until there is nothing missing and nothing lacking. 
James 1:2-4 (TPT)

Be Blessed;

Stephen Barnett