1 Thessalonians 3:2-4

We sent Timothy, our brother and fellow worker for God in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen you and encourage you about your faith,  so that no one would be shaken by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this.  For in fact when we were with you, we were telling you in advance that we would suffer affliction, and so it has happened, as you well know.

Jesus’ invitation to follow Him comes with carrying a cross. Luke 9:23 says, “Then he said to them all: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.’” Jesus took up a cross that paid for the sins of all people, and in doing so He received humiliation, beating, and punishment…He received suffering. He suffered these things knowingly, and chose to save us anyway. Likewise, as we take up our cross and follow Jesus, suffering and persecution will become part of our lives. This is so because those who are of the world will reject Christ and Him crucified. Do not lose heart in the midst of this suffering, for the Lord God is the living God over all, and that includes your suffering in Christ Jesus. Let the shadow of His wings give you peace.