Expect suffering

Acts 9:16 “I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” Paul suffered much because of his faith as he journeyed through life spreading the gospel.  He was whipped a few times, spent numerous false jail occupancies, ridiculed seemingly continuously, shipwrecked, beaten, stoned-all because of his strong persistence in representing his Savior.  Logic would tell us he should have had a life of protected pleasure.  But God tells all of us just the opposite.  Each of us will experience hardships confessing and representing Him on this earth–expect it, endure it, even enjoy it–our eternal reward is coming.