Why do people suffer in the cause of sharing the gospel of Jesus? Does opposition, persecution, suffering etc. mean that our methods are not right, or that we have done something wrong? Well, sometimes we have to admit that there are clear examples of Christians stirring up trouble for themselves, because of the way the behave, or what they say, or the way they say it, or their methods in communicating the gospel, etc, are inconsistent with godliness and biblical principles. That is, sometimes Christians suffer because they are just difficult people, not because of being Christians (although at times observers might not be able to distinguish between the two). Paul was concerned for the believers in and around Ephesus in the first century. They had heard that he was imprisoned in Rome for being a Christian and spreading the gospel. They were downhearted. But Paul tells them not to lose heart, and to see that this was not failure. In fact, it was victory, in a way. This is because the spiritual forces of darkness react against the gospel taken out into the world, by him and by the Church. If we see the bigger picture, the view from the command centre, or from God’s point of view, we see that those on the front line of mission in the world can expect opposition. Paul later shares that this is not primarily from people, even though it comes from the hands of people most of the time. Instead, it originates from the spiritual forces of darkness in the world. “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” (Ephesians 6:12–13, ESV) Jesus also taught that Christians would be persecuted in this world, in the same way that he was. “Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you.” (John 15:20, NLT) But also he taught that they should not consider such opposition in a negative way: “What blessings await you when people hate you and exclude you and mock you and curse you as evil because you follow the Son of Man. When that happens, be happy! Yes, leap for joy! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, their ancestors treated the ancient prophets that same way.” (Luke 6:22–23, NLT) Paul teaches the Ephesian believers that his suffering for them is nothing to lose heart about. He wants them to be encouraged that the mission of the gospel is being carried out, with his imprisonment being an unfortunate side-effect of his ministry. When we see circumstances from the perspective of the big picture, we can cope with a lot more than when we simply look at the problems on their own.