The Doorpost: 'Happily ever after' is coming

Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 

2 Timothy 3:1

“And they lived happily ever after” came at the end of many stories that were read to us as children. The underlying assumption we learned was that it is possible to have a life without problems here on earth.

Following Jesus is not a fairy tale. In 2 Timothy 2:3, the Apostle Paul exhorts us to “share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” Even Jesus “learned obedience through what He suffered” (Hebrews 5:8). There is actually reason for concern if we do not experience suffering and persecution at some level.

We can have joy when suffering for Christ, but the real reward comes later. Paul said, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18). Jesus suffered for our sakes in His life on earth “for the joy that was set before Him” (Hebrews 12:2).

If we are living for Christ, we don’t have to seek suffering. It will come to us (Job 1:8-2:10). But God doesn’t allow us to be tempted beyond our strength and causes everything to work together for our good (1 Corinthians 10:13, Romans 8:28).

We don’t need a handsome prince or a fairy godmother. We have Jesus. “Happily ever after” comes when we are with Him forever in heaven.