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We sometimes understand the admonishment to expect suffering and have the faith that God will reward our obedience but fail to live up to this when the trials come. We may think we are ready and able when we are not. The disciples thought they were ready but were not.

Matthew 26:35 NKJV
Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!”
And so said all the disciples.

But for me, I find that when I think I’m ready to face trials and temptations it takes much less than the threat the disciples faced before I fall on my face. Usually, it’s just a matter of a short drive down the road during which I will inevitably have someone run a stop sign and pull out in front of me or cut me off on the highway and then immediately turn. Then things come out of my mouth that shouldn’t. So much for my readiness to suffer, following in Christ’s footsteps.

One of the reasons the disciples were not ready was because they didn’t prepare.

Matthew 26:41 NKJV
Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Later though, after the disciples became witnesses of Christ’s resurrection, they became bold in their faith and were able to endure suffering for Christ.

Luke 22:31-33 NKJV
And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”

Acts 5:41-42 NKJV
So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

Christ is even now constantly interceding for us in prayer, and perhaps He prays as He did for Peter that when Satan does sift us like wheat our faith will not ultimately fail.

Romans 8:34 NKJV
Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

The doctrine of the perseverance of the saints teaches us that even though God’s elect will encounter suffering He will preserve us through all trials and afflictions and sustain our faith until the end.

Matthew 24:13, 22, & 24 NKJV
But he who endures to the end shall be saved...
And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened...
For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.

1 Peter 1:5-7 NKJV
[The elect] are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.