According to the latest research of Open Doors USA (a ministry serving persecuted Christians worldwide), in just the last year there have been:
• Over 260 million Christians living in places where they experience high levels of persecution
• 2,983 Christians killed for their faith
• 9,488 churches and other Christian buildings attacked.
• 3,711 believers detained without trial, arrested, sentenced or imprisoned
People around the world are suffering daily simply for their identification with Jesus Christ.
Suffering. It's a part of life. Real life. No matter who you are. No one gets around it. No one gets to skip it. No one. How do we reconcile that a loving God will allow His children to suffer? Who likes to memorize & claim the scripture that says we will have trials, sorrows & sufferings (John 16:33)? No one. And yet everyone suffers. What do we do with that?