Subtle persecution may happen to you in your office, school, or social gathering. You may not be "with it," or be "one of the crowd." No suffering that the Christian endures for Christ is ever in vain.

Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution. . . . Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life" (Revelation 2:10).

It's tough to be a Christian in our world. We need to be willing to take on Jesus' unpopularity and the scorn that is often heaped on Him.

Sometimes we get a little tired of the burdens of life, but it is exhilarating to know that Jesus Christ will meet us at the end of life's journey.

Within the New Testament, there is no indication that Christians should expect to be healthy, wealthy, and successful in this present age.

Earth's troubles fade in the light of heaven's hope.

Life has its share of joys and laughter—but we also know life's road is often very rough. Temptations assail us; people disappoint us; illness and age weaken us; tragedies and sorrows ambush us; evil and injustice overpower us. Life is hard—but God is good, and heaven is real!

In my years of global travels, I have seen a world in pain... Without God's guidance, our response to suffering is a futile attempt to find solutions to conditions that cannot be solved.

We enjoy the sense of God's presence in the midst of suffering here and now. I have talked to people who are experiencing deep pain or severe difficulties, and they have said, "I feel God is so close to me".

Grief which is not dealt with properly can cause us to lose our perspective on life.

I'm a prisoner of love. I have given my life for love. It is joy unspeakable and full of glory. It's in every part of our journey here on Earth.

As I wander through the dark, encountering difficulties, I am aware of encouraging voices that murmur from the spirit realm. I sense a holy passion pouring down from the springs of Infinity. I thrill to music that beats with the pulses of God. Bound to suns and planets by invisible cords, I feel the flame of eternity in my soul.