READ: 2 Timothy 1:1-18
But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
1 Peter 4:13
Suffering is always followed by glory. When people run away from the suffering, they are also inadvertently running away from the glory of God. The reasons why many people avoid full-time ministry is because they do not want to suffer any loss for Jesus Christ. If you lose your life for Jesus, you will gain it. If you suffer for Christ, you will receive glory.
By running away from any form of suffering whatsoever, you are fleeing from your greatest blessings in Christ. Remember that Jesus Christ is worthy to receive glory and honour and power and riches and blessing because He endured the cross and suffered the shame for us. How will you ever be worthy to receive glory and honour and power and riches and blessing if you are not prepared to endure your cross?
Onesiphorus was not ashamed of Paul’s chains but identified with Paul’s shame and disgrace. It is important to identify with the shame and disgrace that is associated with ministry. God has a plan for you. Immerse yourself into His will. Do not stand on the fringes and taste of the ministry without partaking in the sufferings.
You are promised glory after you have been a partaker of the sufferings. “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;” (2 Corinthians 4:17).
God is going to bless you mightily with His glory as you serve Him and fully accept to be immersed into whatever sufferings, shame, calumny, slander, defamation, horror or pain inflicted on you. God is great! At the end of the day, you will enjoy His glory.