Sunday night I was talking to my teens about suffering and persecution, making sure they realized it wasn't about them. It can be easy to make statements in our 'classroom', while safe from the outside world.
Then Monday morning hits. Bam! Pow!
Surely there's nothing inherently evil about Monday mornings, but it sure felt that way when a day without obligation for myself turned into a day lying in pain on the couch after throwing out my back. Get this, it happened as I was putting exercise equipment away after having used it. Shouldn't exercise make my already rock-hard core even stronger? I digress.
Clearly that is an attempt at sympathy and not a real example of persecution, but I did ask why, while writhing for a position that would be bring semi-relief. But what do Jesus and His man, The Rock, have to say about persecution.
Well, Jesus said that persecutions make us blessed (Matthew 5:10-12). He said that His followers should expect persecution (Mark 8:31-38). Oh, and anyone who leaves what they know behind should expect to get it all back hundred-fold, along with persecutions (Mark 10:29-31).
Peter, Jesus' right-hand man, had quite a bit to say about persecution and suffering in his first letter. Perhaps because he knew a thing or two about what it actually meant. Or maybe because he didn't want Christians being soft. Peter said we should be certain that our persecution is for the right reason and not something we deserved (1 Peter 2:18-22). Furthermore, it's a badge of honor since those who suffer are done with the sin-game and are actually shocking unbelievers because of their disinterest in joining in sinful practices (1 Peter 4:1-5). Then he goes further to instruct that suffering should lead us to praise God (1 Peter 4:12-19).
And don't forget that Jimmy said we should consider it joy when we face trials (James 1:2-8).
In the end, suffering for any reason isn't about you. If the suffering is in the name of Jesus, then we should put two and two together and realize it's about Jesus. His name, His deal. Or, it's like Jud Wilhite wrote in his introduction to Torn... There are more important questions, namely who will we turn to in our time of need and how will we move forward.
See, suffering isn't that bad. Not mine, not yours. Like most everything else, the suffering we endure is insignificant compared to the good God has in store for us.
Then Monday morning hits. Bam! Pow!
Surely there's nothing inherently evil about Monday mornings, but it sure felt that way when a day without obligation for myself turned into a day lying in pain on the couch after throwing out my back. Get this, it happened as I was putting exercise equipment away after having used it. Shouldn't exercise make my already rock-hard core even stronger? I digress.
Clearly that is an attempt at sympathy and not a real example of persecution, but I did ask why, while writhing for a position that would be bring semi-relief. But what do Jesus and His man, The Rock, have to say about persecution.
Well, Jesus said that persecutions make us blessed (Matthew 5:10-12). He said that His followers should expect persecution (Mark 8:31-38). Oh, and anyone who leaves what they know behind should expect to get it all back hundred-fold, along with persecutions (Mark 10:29-31).
Peter, Jesus' right-hand man, had quite a bit to say about persecution and suffering in his first letter. Perhaps because he knew a thing or two about what it actually meant. Or maybe because he didn't want Christians being soft. Peter said we should be certain that our persecution is for the right reason and not something we deserved (1 Peter 2:18-22). Furthermore, it's a badge of honor since those who suffer are done with the sin-game and are actually shocking unbelievers because of their disinterest in joining in sinful practices (1 Peter 4:1-5). Then he goes further to instruct that suffering should lead us to praise God (1 Peter 4:12-19).
And don't forget that Jimmy said we should consider it joy when we face trials (James 1:2-8).
In the end, suffering for any reason isn't about you. If the suffering is in the name of Jesus, then we should put two and two together and realize it's about Jesus. His name, His deal. Or, it's like Jud Wilhite wrote in his introduction to Torn... There are more important questions, namely who will we turn to in our time of need and how will we move forward.
See, suffering isn't that bad. Not mine, not yours. Like most everything else, the suffering we endure is insignificant compared to the good God has in store for us.
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