The Struggle Is The Blessing
1 Peter 2:20-24
But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 22 “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” 23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.
Since Jesus was misunderstood, criticized, and rejected, it makes sense that we will experience similar things from the people in our lives.
When I was a youth pastor, I used to jump off moving cars and jump onto moving boats, to connect with teens. Now at 55, I wince in pain, when I watch those old VHS videos. I’ve been to two different kinds of doctors in the last three months for old stunts that continue to deliver new pain. What happened is that I changed. Pain changes us. Mental, emotional, and relational pain also changes us. The reality is, we will never stay the same, we are all changing. The question is, are we going to let it change us for the better or for the worse?
Paul wrote to a group of Christians who were going through intense persecution, and pain. He shared these encouraging words.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
No matter what we are going through, if we turn it over to the Lord and search His word for understanding, we will be blessed through the wound.
What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through these scriptures?
