“For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him,” -Philippians 1:29

Stress. The word, itself, causes discomfort just looking at it. It has way too many letter S's in it, for starters.

I find, along with many others, that stressful circumstances rarely arrive to the party alone. They usually bring their buddies with them. Sometimes they file in, one at a time, but close together. We barely meet one, before the others want attention. Sometimes, they try to rush in, all at once, barely fitting through the door. At times, some of them run through the house, out the back, around the house, then through the front door a second time. Or a third time. And we want to scream "But I am a believer! I am a follower of Jesus! Isn't that enough? What's the deal?"

Here's the deal: If we are believers; if we are followers of Jesus, then we can reasonably expect to suffer for his name. The Bible is extremely clear about that. But, in the moment, how does one reconcile that fact to the circumstances being faced?

Well, the name for which we suffer is also the name that heals and holds authority over all circumstances. We might start by telling our unwanted house guests that the house they invaded belongs to Jesus and that they are not welcome. They might leave, they might not. We, however, believe regardless.

The point is that being a believer is so much more than just believing, or even suffering. It is the guarantee that the battle for the house of our hearts will intensify and the assault will not likely relent. Each of us represents a hash mark in favor of God's victory. For the enemy of your soul, this just will not do. Even as our names are written in the Book of Life, the enemy formulates a plan to make the ensuing journey as uncomfortable for us as possible.

More than ever, the situation calls for us to completely surrender our will to God. In so doing, not only do we survive the onslaught, but we can experience joy and peace during the most difficult of times. Unfortunately, our flesh wants to react to these circumstances by assuming command. Bad idea. If we keep proclaiming that the house belongs to us, then the house is what will fall. But, if we acknowledge Jesus as the true owner of our house, then the enemy cannot claim victory.