We all have a price to pay to follow Christ. The scriptures say that if any man is to follow Christ he must:
“Deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me[1].”
It is foolish of us to believe that we can escape suffering.
In fact, Paul says that we actually are drawn closer to Jesus through our suffering.
[7] But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. [8] Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ [9] and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith- [10] that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, [11] that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. (Philippians 3:7-11 ESV)[2]
Count all that you go through as joy. All the heartache, pain, temptation, testing, loss, money trouble, family trouble, health issues. It is all for the gospel’s sake, so that we may grow closer to Jesus and be one with Him.
To the believer, this is reward enough. Having Christ is the climax of our spiritual experience. Being one with Him, having His heart, having His mind, that is what matters most to the believer.
But I am so glad that God doesn't stop at the bare minimum. Although He is our reward, He promises to bless us beyond our wildest imaginations just for trusting Him.
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost[3].
And if the day comes for you where you have to shed blood for this gospel, count yourself as being privileged because Heaven will honor you as you rest in the arms of our savior, and you will be remembered in the halls of eternity as one who gave their life for the rich heritage of this gospel, and join the great cloud of witnesses that have gone before us.
[1] Matthew 16:24 (ESV)
[2] Philippians 3:7-11 (ESV)
[3] Romans 15:13 (KJV)