“For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans” (1 Thessalonians 2:14).
It is sometimes difficult to understand why God allows us to face the challenges and concerns we experience in life. In considering this passage from 1 Thessalonians 2:14, it appears that the Thessalonians may have been facing a similar question.
You see, this portion of Scripture references the shared experience of the Christians of Thessalonica and the Christians of Judea. While there were many differences between these two groups, they were alike in the sense that they each faced persecution for what they believed. In some respects, this situation remains much the same today.
In areas that are relatively open to Christianity, such persecution might be comparatively mild. In other areas, it might take the form of social ostracism, financial or material confiscation, physical attacks, or death. The author of the Biblical book of Hebrews wrote to an audience who was familiar with some of those experiences and offered a word of encouragement…
“But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward” (Hebrews 10:32-35 ESV).
When God permits us to experience such trials, it helps to remember that He always has good reasons for doing so. For example, God may allow difficulties to enter our lives to strengthen us (2 Corinthians 12:10) or increase our trust in Him (Psalm 50:14-15). He might use such experiences to help us develop patience (Romans 5:3-5) and endurance (Hebrews 10:35-38). Or perhaps God might allow us to serve as an example to others in demonstrating the right way to handle the problems we encounter (2 Thessalonians 1:4). Finally, God may allow trials to enter our lives for the purpose of helping others who will experience similar things (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
It’s never easy when God allows difficult circumstances to enter our lives. However, we can be assured that God has an ultimate purpose behind the challenges we experience for “…all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).