Afflictions will Come

1 Thes. 3:1-3 (ESV)
Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, [2] and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, [3] that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this.

“That no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this.” Christianity is not about worldly success. It is not about earthly glory. I am amazed by people who see “successful” “Christian” pastors and are duped into a religion of Glory. I am amazed at how little books like “The Prayer of Jabez” fly off the shelves. I am mystified by people who think that God is punishing them if they don’t have a mansion and every success. Dumbfounding. He in Utah, the successful life is considered a testimony to the love God has for your self-righteousness. What a crock.
Paul had a different take. “We are destined for this.” We aren’t to be moved because we see afflictions. God has glory enough in store for us. Here in this world though we will often experience affliction. Not that every Christian will experience afflictions in the same way, or that that will be all he experiences. God gives us good times too. He honors our work. And he gives us our daily bread even as he gives it to evil people. We take what comes, knowing that in the end, we live in heaven with Christ.