Why are you suffering?
"Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name" (NLT) 1 Peter 4:16
In a letter to the board of supervisors, Grenada County Circuit Clerk Linda Barnette announced her resignation on Tuesday, citing the Supreme Court's decision to legalize same-sex marriage. Barnette has been the circuit clerk for 24 years, and announced that her resignation is effective immediately.
"The Supreme Court's decision violates my core values as a Christian," she wrote. "My final authority is the Bible. I cannot in all good conscience issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples under my name because the Bible clearly teaches that homosexuality is contrary to God's plan and purpose for marriage and family" (source)
In a world of seemingly pervasive disregard for God's word and command, there always arises a man or woman who decides to stand up for God albeit the consequenes. There is always someone who understands the hefty price of discipleship. There is always someone who refuses "to be called the son of Pharoah's daughter, choosing rather to share the oppression of God's people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin" (Hebrews 11:24-25, NLT).
Why are you suffering? What are you willing to trade in this fleeting world for eternal glory? It may be a job that has created a wedge between you and God. It may be a relationship that is estranging you from God. It may a church that is sending you to hell. There is nothing here on earth that is worth losing Heaven for. That is why some for the sake of this eternal glory "were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection. Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground." (Hebrews 11:35-38, NLT). They were not ashamed, neither did they complain, because they knew Who they had believed in.