Suffering

“For God has graciously given you the privilege not only to believe in Christ, but also to suffer for him. For you have been called by him to endure the conflict in the same way I have endured it—for you know I’m not giving up.”Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭29‬-‭30‬ ‭TPT‬‬

We all suffer is some way: from rejection by those we love to being imprisoned for our faith. We perceive suffering differently. Our perception is based on our expectation. If our lives are based around people loving us, we will be disappointed. There is only One who truely loves us and will always be faithful to us. We will be hurt by the level of our expectations.

Yesterday was Christmas Day here in Nepal. I spent the day in a lovely motel in a place called Nagarcot with a fellow female missionary. My family all live in Australia. I was surprised that I did not long to be back in Australia. This is good. As much as I love my family, my path is different to theirs and we all know that. As my friend and I have given all to be in Nepal we gave ourselves a treat. We had a hot spa, a trek to look at the Himalayas, and fine food. Leading up to yesterday we were both busy and gave ourselves to others to bless them with the true depth of Christmas.

Before we left for the mountain retreat I shared a special breakfast with my Nepali flatmates and we exchanged gifts: slippers and socks as our floors are very cold. We plan to invited our Hindu landlord and his family to visit New Year’s Eve. They had been invited to church but had not accepted.

2025 is the year of outreach for me, both in my immediate neighbourhood and in a remote community in western Nepal. I want to share the joy that I have with others. I will continue my language studies with a private tutor instead of college and then begin my research project.

Daily I pray for the persecuted church. I know that what they suffer is the most extreme form of suffering. When Paul wrote the above passage he was in prison in Rome. He knew suffering.

Let us embrace the walk before us and not behave like emotional cripples when suffering comes. Amen!