So the message about the Lord spread widely and had a powerful effect… About that time, serious trouble developed in Ephesus concerning the Way.
(Acts 19:20, 23 NLT)
Many are fond of the success of the early church and like to imitate its pattern, but did you know that there’s a strong correlation between the persecution of the church and the spread of the Gospel? I strongly believe that the reason why the early church was so successful was that it encountered opposition. I’ve heard it said that when everything is always going well for a Christian, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re doing the right thing, but that they’re probably not doing enough. If we hope to have an impact on the people around us, we, too, need to embrace the tough times. They aren’t pleasant, but they help us become strong in our faith and draw others to Christ.
The difficult times come with benefits.
Rising with the Son 