[metmom]

Hebrews 11:32-40 And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets—who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated—of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

[Bellflower]

Whenever Christ talked about the blessedness of suffering it was for His sake. We can and do suffer for Christ’s sake in faith. He died for us even though He didn’t have to. He suffered for us. We can suffer for Him. This is an all together different issue than suffering because just like the world we get sick. This kind of suffering isn’t for Christ’ sake, it is just plain suffering just like the masses. To rightly divide The Word of God we have to make the distinction between suffering just like all the citizens of the world and suffering for The Kingdom of God’s sake. When we suffer for The Kingdom of God’s sake we expect great recompense in the world to come.