Rejoicing in Suffering for Jesus and Living for What Truly Matters

Two families. One season. Two very different centers. Christmas always reveals what we value most.

Acts of the Apostles 5:41

[41] The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus.

Acts really opens our eyes to what has meaning and importance in a life of service to God.

Counted worthy to suffer.

Uh… no thanks. I’m not worthy.

At least, that’s the honest reaction many of us have.

But let’s slow down and really think about this. Why would the apostles be rejoicing in suffering for Jesus? Why would suffering—disgrace, rejection, pain—be something they celebrated instead of avoided?

The apostles had been given a deep understanding by the Lord. An understanding that this world, and everything it stands for, is ultimately meaningless when compared to eternity. Money is terrible. Possessions are terrible. Status and jobs are terrible—when they become the goal.

If you ask most non-believing college students what their life goals are, you’ll usually hear some combination of those three things. And while any of those can be used for good when fully dedicated to the Lord and understood as His, the apostles wanted nothing to do with living for them. They chose a different way.

They survived on God-inspired giving and shelter. They saw this world clearly for what it is and intentionally focused on the Kingdom of Heaven instead. By refusing to place value on the things of this world, they placed all their value on things not of this world.

That perspective is incredibly freeing.

This is why rejoicing in suffering for Jesus was even possible. Their joy didn’t come from comfort, security, or approval—it came from knowing that suffering for His name meant gaining far more in paradise with the Lord. It meant sharing in His glory.

Jesus Himself endured suffering by resting fully on His Father’s promises. And the incredible truth is this: we have that same strength available to us. The same God who sustained Christ sustains us. God is with us.

1 Peter 4:1

[1] So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have finished with sin.

Living this way changes everything. When we stop chasing what fades and start living for what lasts, even suffering takes on new meaning. Rejoicing in suffering for Jesus isn’t about loving pain—it’s about loving Him more than the world.

And that is where we finally begin living for what truly matters.

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