John 16:33
Troubles in this World
33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 21:15-19
Jesus Tells Peter What Kind of Death He Will Suffer
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”
Acts 7:54-60
The Stoning of Stephen
54 When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him.55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him,58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.
59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.
Acts 9:15-16
Suffering in the Name of Jesus
15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
2 Corinthians 11:24
Paul Was Whipped Five Times
24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.
What is interesting to me about Jesus teaching us that in this world you will have trouble is two things...Everybody suffers in this world at some point...Jesus frees us from our sins, but not from the troubles we have in this world...The normal person who goes along on his day will have troubles at work, some family issues, have trials, have grief when friends and families pass away, and all those things that are a part of life...This seems normal is one's life...And these seem to be normal troubles and trials, we would have in our life...
But Jesus is telling this to His Disciples...The ones He was closest with and they will be near Him until eternity...He is telling them, you will have troubles when I leave you (when I leave you)...He still is telling them, if you continue to what is right and you follow Me and My teachings still be ready for troubles...Your life will still be plagued with troubles, suffering, and even death...He chooses not to take away the troubles, the trials, the griefs, and the sufferings even for those who is closest to Him and will be spreading His word -so all the world will know of Him...He does not make it easy for them, even though in a twinkling of His eye, He could have provided an easier way and peaceful life for them...
When Paul was converted, Jesus told Ananias that Paul was His chosen instrument to proclaim His name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel...Jesus state that He would show him how much he must suffer for My name...Paul would suffer quite a lot spreading the news and gospel of Jesus and would be thrown in jail and beaten by those opposing the word of Jesus...
Peter, who maybe the LORD's leading disciple is told by Jesus what kind of death he would suffer (after preaching the gospel) to glorify His name...
Stephen who loved the LORD much was stoned to death, and was the first Christian Martyr...
When we are feeling bad and have our own troubles, we might reflect on the ones who believed first in the LORD...They were the first to spread the word of our LORD...They were persecuted, beaten, flogged, and would suffer for trying to do something good -spreading His word...