Note 4 at 1 Th. 3:3: Many people today think there would be something wrong with an individual if he didn't show signs of stress in a trying situation. They would say, "You're in denial." But Paul specifically exhorted the Thessalonians not to be "moved" by their afflictions.

The Greek word for "moved" is SAINO, which literally means to wag like a dog's tail. The picture that Paul is painting is that of the believer's faith fluctuating because of trials and persecutions. He wanted their faith to be steady in Christ.

Many Christians, even mature ones, sometimes feel that they must be out of God's will when trials come. However, "?all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2 Tim. 3:12). Persecution is not a sign of being wrong any more than a lack of persecution is a sign of being right (see note 3 at 1 Cor. 16:9, p. 969).

Note 5 at 1 Th. 3:3: Paul said we are "appointed" to afflictions. The word "appointed" was translated from the Greek word KEIMAI, which means "to lie outstretched" (Strong). This is describing us being in the path of and vulnerable to afflictions.

This is not to say that the Lord is sending the afflictions (see note 4 at Mk. 4:16, p. 193). Afflictions come from the devil to steal away our faith, as Paul is warning against here. The point is that afflictions do come, and "?all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2 Tim. 3:12; see notes 11-20 at 2 Cor. 12:7-9, pp. 1041-1042).