A great misconception about faith in Jesus is that by trusting Him in salvation we somehow eliminate suffering from our lives. In reality, following Jesus requires suffering and sacrifice. May we not avoid suffering, but embrace it as a joy in following Jesus.
When comparing my life to the lives I see in the New Testament and early church, I am not sure I truly know what it means to suffer for the sake of Christ. I certainly have made sacrifices in my life and family for my calling, but in know way feel I have suffered for the sake of the gospel.
My prayer in light of this verse would be that my heart would be open for whatever sufferings may come my way because of Jesus, and that I would live with a grateful heart as I remember the extent of His suffering for me.
Maclane Forbus 