While Christianity does not promise wealth, health or an absence of suffering, the document notes that living for Christ could mean hardship, persecution, and even greater suffering. Several Bible passages are cited that describe Christians enduring physical torture, imprisonment, poverty, loneliness, the loss of family and possessions, and even death for their faith. However, the document concludes that Christians should not lose hope and should remain faithful to Christ, as suffering in this life will be outweighed by eternal reward.

1. Does Christianity promise this? Click as you desire

2. The following is NOT a promise that IF you become a Christian you’ll receive a Rolls Royce, fancy mansion, diamond rings, never-ending youth, wealth, riches, painlessness, lots of trustworthy friends, a spouse, kids, straight As, wonderful vacations, and/or excellent health. In fact, living for Christ could mean…

3. 1 Thessalonians 3:4 4 In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know.

4. Mark 8:34-36 34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save his life [ a ] will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? These CHRISTIANS have lost their homes but are still giving God what’s His.

5. This CHRISTIAN woman was beat, flogged and raped for her refusal to deny Jesus Christ as Lord. Matthew 10:34-36 34 "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn " 'a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her motherinlaw— 36 a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.' Is God number one (numero uno) in your life?

6. Physical torture may come… Acts 5:40-41 40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.

7. This CHRISTIAN woman’s breast was removed for her refusal to deny Jesus Christ as Lord. Luke 6:22-23 22 Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. 23 "Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets.

8. Philemon 1:13 13 I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. Revelation 2:10 10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.

9. This Christian child fears for her life as her family members were slaughtered… John 15:18 18 "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.

10. This Christian child was burned for her faith in Jesus Christ… Romans 8:16-18 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. 18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

11. Loneliness may come… 1 Peter 4:12 12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.

12. Financial stress may not go away… Matthew 11:28-30 28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

13. 2 Thessalonians 1:5 5 All this is evidence that God's judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. You may lose everything… James 5:10-11 10 Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

14. Hebrews 13:12-13 12 And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. 13 Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. Suffering is biblical…

15. Depression may come… 1 Peter 2:19-21 19 For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. 20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

16. Despair may come… John 14:1 1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.

17. You may lose your marriage… Matthew 10:37-38 37 "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38 and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

18. 2 Timothy 2:3 3 Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

19. Your children may die… Ephesians 6:11 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.

20. 1 John 3:16-18 16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

21. 1 Corinthians 15:30-32 30 And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour? 31 I die every day—I mean that, brothers—just as surely as I glory over you in Christ Jesus our Lord. 32 If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus for merely human reasons, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die." Persecution may come… 1 John 3:13 13 Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you.

22. This Christian child’s face was severely sliced for her faith in Jesus Christ… 2 Corinthians 1:5-7 5 For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. 6 If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 7 And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. Don’t advance this slide so fast, take another look at this girl’s scar.

23. Philippians 1:29-30 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have. Wars may come…

24. Your student debt may not go away… 2 Timothy 4:5 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

25. 1 Timothy 1:18-19 18 Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, 19 holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith.

26. 2 Timothy 4:5 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. You may lose your job…

27. Suffering is throughout the bible, but why is it that we do not hear a whole lot about it… 2 Timothy 1:8 8 So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, 2 Timothy 3:12 12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

28. This Christian woman’s head was chopped for her faith in Jesus Christ…

29. Your house may still foreclose…

30. You may lose your home…

31. Your children may still cry…

32. You may still grieve…

33. You may lose your spouse…

34. Just because you may be a Christian, doesn’t mean your circumstances will disappear or change… BUT…

35. Matthew 24:10-14 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

36. Don't spend your life fighting for what YOU want. Your life is not your own… Just because you may be a Christian, you're not exempt from pain, suffering, loss, depression, foreclosure, divorce, sickness, disease, catastrophe, betrayal and death. So, while you're at McDonald's or enjoying the comfort of your nice big home, and comfortable living take some time to lift up actual brothers and sisters in the faith that are being violently persecuted for the gospel of Jesus Christ.

37. In fact, living for Christ could mean things could get worse… Matthew 16:25-27 25 For whoever wants to save his life [ a ] will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.

38. Colossians 1:24 24 Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. Jesus did nothing wrong, yet suffered the most of all...