We launch into a new week of episodes with a question from a podcast listener named Brad.

He writes in to ask this, Pastor John, I have a question about passages like 1 Peter 4

12.

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you as though

something strange were happening to you.

In James 1 verses 2 to 4, count at all joy my brothers when you meet trials of various

kinds for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness and let steadfastness

have its full effect that you may be perfect and complete lacking in nothing.

Do we use those types of passages to encourage a fellow believer when they are dealing with

issues like sickness or recovering from an accident or do these verses pertain only to

the types of trials that come as a result of following Christ.

Pastor John, what would you say?

Well my own view is that most of the passages in the New Testament that encourage us in

suffering deal with persecution but that the principles of how the suffering serves us

and how we are to handle it applies to all suffering in the path of obedience including

disease or calamity, natural disaster or whatever.

In other words, if you are on your way to visit a sick person according to obedience to Jesus

and you want to go in Jesus name and for Jesus glory and build up their faith and encourage

them and someone doesn't want you to do that and they shoot you in the arm and you have

to go to the hospital because you have now shared the sufferings of Christ, you are in

the same position you would be basically if you had a car accident on the way and broke

your arm and had to go to the hospital.

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