Saturday, January 18, 2020

Post #80(b) - There is No Padded Cross

As I was reading the bible today, I was reflecting on my life and the prophetic words spoken over me. I realized, then, the amazing importance of my spiritual journey. 

It has been wrought with ups and downs, aches and pains, sorrows and happiness, disappointments and victories.... and valuable, life changing lessons.

I know I sound like a broken record when I say that we will all endure tests and trials. But, it's because someone isn't getting it. Someone is going through a test right now, and is breaking down because of it, thinking the world is against him.

We tend to think that we are never supposed to go through hard times. We are afraid to go through anything uncomfortable. We are afraid to step out of our comfort zones and into God's grace. 

But, Jesus warns that we will suffer persecution and tribulation in this life. He says in Matthew 10:38, "Anyone who does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. Whosoever finds his life will lose it, and whosoever loses his life for My sake will find it." 

In saying this, Jesus is telling us that if we love Him, if we give our lives to Him, we will suffer with Him. If we suffer with Him, we will reign with Him. But if we choose not to suffer with Him, we are not worthy of Him.

But, in suffering with Christ, we are made perfect. We are mature and complete, lacking nothing (James 1:4). And God will not give us more than we can bear. Just the same way trouble finds us, God will make us a way out of it. 

But, there are no padded crosses. We have to be willing to hurt for a little while. Endure a little discomfort. And grow in it - learn from it. 

Just like Jesus had to endure His lashes and beatings, we have to endure our hardships of life. And we have to endure them with patience and obedience to God. 

It's only for a season. The trouble won't last always. And when we pass through it, we will be better than we were before. More mature, stronger, having more wisdom, and standing steadfast in Christ - knowing that He will never leave us nor forsake us. 

He will be with us - leading us, comforting us, blessing us...

So, we can have faith, take up our crosses, and follow Him.

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