"For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;"
Philippians 1:29
It's interesting to have it say that suffering is given... whether it means it happens to everyone or that it is literally a gift. I'm not sure it is saying it is a privilege, because D&C 19:16 tells us that God suffered for us so that we don't have to suffer if we repent... although on some level suffering on Christ's behalf might help us to understand him more, and his gift to us of the atonement.
The other thing that suffering on behalf of Christ does for us is help us to realize what we are standing up for. We examine our beliefs and our affections more closely when others are critical of them, and when we suffer for them, because on some level we wonder if it is worth it. And sometimes, with other things, it isn't. Maybe we aren't attached that much, or other people are making a good point about mistakes we are making in our lives about a sin or an addiction. In the case of Christ though, it is totally worth it--but we need to figure that out. People challenging us over it isn't fun, but it can get us there.
Today, let's believe on Christ, and be willing to endure some suffering in defense of and in pursuit of that belief.
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