I am more willing to share in things that are beneficial to me, in so,e way or another. I admit, sharing in suffering is not something I can say I’m super excited about…I don’t think anyone would rather go through something with you as they would rather share in the good that happens to you, for you. We as humanity struggle both consciously and unconsciously, in the body and in the mind, internally and externally. To say I want to go through what you are going through is just not the truth!
There is something to be said about sharing in the suffering of Christ. What is the suffering of Christ? Are we exempt? Can we choose to not go through suffering? Sharing in the suffering of Christ on this Earth is such a big thing. Sometimes, we share in suffering by realizing the need to pray for His people, the ones we do know and the ones we don’t, on a global view. Sometimes is mourning and crying with others because of what they are facing. Sometimes it’s standing up when everyone else is sitting down. It’s facing health issues or seeing others face things that seem to be terminal. Sometimes suffering is sacrifice. Sure, it feels better and of less strain to be happy when someone else is happy or to be happy when someone else is jumping for joy…tables turning so,sties can seem heavier depending on which side of the table we are sitting…
Paul, in many scriptures, has shown us how he personally suffered and learned to rejoice in those times and being mindful that what he suffered or the suffering in which he did see in his travels were worth it because it meant he was doing the work of the Lord. Paul worked to remind the churches that suffering is a small thing in comparison to the joy we will receive, whether here on Earth but more so in our life after Earth. Namely, on Earth we need to keep in mind that there is no escape from hard times, desperate times, no-money times, sad, bad, depressed, unhappy feelings that try and take us captive….we need to look at the real fact that it will not last forever and cling to the hope we have in Christ that He is able to do, to wipe, to help, to teach us how to handle suffering. Human thought would have us question suffering insomuch as to how can He allow suffering. I’m convinced that if I never went through anything, I wouldn’t know Him this much! I am learning …-in to mean it’s a definite ongoing of learning to endure better and hold on more and trust He means all things to work for my good because I do love Him.
Pray for others this week and know that prayer works. Do share His goodness and be an example of how Gid can help us in the time of need.
Today’s Scriptures:
“This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike “What’s next, Papa?” God’s Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what’s coming to us—an unbelievable inheritance! We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we’re certainly going to go through the good times with him!” Romans 8:15-17 MSG
http://bible.com/97/rom.8.15-17.msg
“I want you to know how glad I am that it’s me sitting here in this jail and not you. There’s a lot of suffering to be entered into in this world—the kind of suffering Christ takes on. I welcome the chance to take my share in the church’s part of that suffering. When I became a servant in this church, I experienced this suffering as a sheer gift, God’s way of helping me serve you, laying out the whole truth.” Colossians 1:24-25 MSG
Daily Walking Towards Christ 