There is a loss to serving God and there is loss to following God. There is even loss in staying pure and to doing what you know pleases the Lord. There is loss in many ways.

In some ways it is loss of friends in some ways it is being left out, cold shouldered, in other ways it is far worse in reviling and outright persecution. But make no mistake the Lord IS paying attention and is watching meticulously. You may feel frustrated, alone and left out. But he attends to you, there are consolations from him. There is a reward from him that comes when we side with him, cooperate with him, when we live our lives in a way that is consistent with what pleases him.

The eight consolations of the beatitudes. The giving of the kingdom x 2, comfort, inheritance of the earth, satisfaction, mercy, seeing of God, becoming a son of God, identification with the prophets of old.

The Beatitudes

““Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Matthew 5:3-12

Paul teaching directly about suffering and comfort:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.”

2 Cor 1:3-87