Privilege of Trusting; Privilege of Suffering

Twin privileges that Paul expresses to the Philippians in Phil 1.29. These twin privileges were given to the believers in Philippi, or as Paul puts it: For you have been given, not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. We are surprised at this second privilege and it is here that we enter the deep waters of faith. It is a privilege to suffer for Christ? Isn't this something we endure; something that we bear up under until the weight of suffering goes away? A privilege?

I think that Paul would consider it a privilege because suffering is indicative of someone who truly believes. One's faith is tested at the point of suffering. It's easy to be a disciple of Christ when it costs me nothing, but when it is costly, then my commitment is truly tested. To the extent that the Philippians were bearing up under suffering, their faith was proving genuine, and this was a privilege indeed.