Normally I am on the go constantly, so getting sick was not something I had planned on this week. It is hard for me to slow down and rest. But there is another reason why I try to avoid slowing down right now because that is when feelings of depression and hopelessness seem to grow and try to take over me. The other night those feelings took advantage of my physical weakness and tried to overwhelm me. In my pain, I was thrown into a battle in my mind in order to try to understand why I am going through some personal suffering in my family right now. But instead of giving in to my feelings of despair, I grabbed my Bible and started reading these scriptures:
Christ suffered here on earth. Now you must be ready to suffer as he did, because suffering shows that you have stopped sinning. It means you have turned from your own desires and want to obey God for the rest of your life. You have already lived long enough like people who don't know God. You were immoral and followed your evil desires. You went around drinking and partying and carrying on. In fact, you even worshiped disgusting idols. Now your former friends wonder why you have stopped running around with them, and they curse you for it. But they will have to answer to God, who judges the living and the dead. (1Pe 4:1-5 CEV)
Through the words of Peter, the Lord was helping me understand the reason why I was suffering. Suffering for Christians didn’t stop at the cross. Suffering, for the right reasons, was something that I needed to be ready for and it would help me know who is really in control of my life. Jesus suffered physically and emotionally here on earth and was our example on how to live in a sinful world. So for me to live my life free from sin in this world, I too will suffer physically and emotionally.
Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; (1Pe 4:1 KJV)
In the movie, "The Da Vinci Code", there was a monk who purposely inflicted pain on himself, thinking it would purge him from his sins and make him stronger. Well, the suffering in the flesh that Peter talks about in the scriptures above is not this type of self mutilation. How do we suffer in the flesh? Talk to the recovering alcoholic, talk to the former adulterer, talk to the former gang member, talk to anyone who used to party and follow the "in" crowd. They will all tell you that in order to stop doing those things, they had to suffer in their flesh or body - physically and emotionally. How did they get to that point? They made a decision to change. So, daily they have to arm themselves in their minds to not give in to what they used to do. They have to deal with rejection, insults, and cruelty from their former friends. The great thing, though, is that as Christians, we have someone who will help us in our suffering and will strengthen us each day to live a life free from the bondage of all our sins. He is the Holy Spirit!
The enemy of our souls wants us to "feel good" and be numb to our pain and suffering so that he can inflict even more pain on us in order to destroy us. The Holy Spirit, our Master Trainer, wants us to feel our pain so that He can help us through it to strengthen us. A good soldier or athlete welcomes pain because it makes him stronger. Christians need to become more like disciplined soldiers. The spiritual battle is in our minds as we choose to either give in to what our flesh wants us to do or we choose to take a stand and obey the voice of the Holy Spirit. The only way to stay armed and protected is to put on the whole armor of God and stay in continual training as a soldier in His army. This is what Paul talked about in the book of Ephesians.
Being lukewarm and getting comfortable in what we want to do and how we want to worship God just lets our defenses down. If you talk to any soldier who has been out in the battlefield, they will tell you that you could get injured or lose your life if you let your guard down. That is what idol worship does. Modern day idols are found on the TV, in movies, books, music, associated with food, beverages, and drugs. They are everywhere and we are so blinded by them!!! That is why it is SO important to guard what we put in to our minds.
The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. (1Pe 4:7-8 ESV)
Where are the radical Christians who hate sin but who fervently love Jesus and their neighbors? Only the love of God will win the war that we are in. We have to be in continual love training. We must really understand how God wants us to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and how He wants us to love others. The enemy is attacking and he is coming to destroy our city! Judgment is coming…
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And "If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?" Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. (1Pe 4:12-19 ESV)
The reason why there aren't more radical Christians out there is because we are afraid of persecution. We are afraid to suffer. It hurts deeply to be rejected by the people we love and care about; especially if they are rejecting us because they don't believe the same way we do about Jesus. But we shouldn't be surprised by this. This will happen to test our faith.
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. (1Pe 5:6-10 ESV)
So we need to rejoice, keep doing good, love fervently, be firm in our faith, and humble ourselves during our trials. Then at the right time, God's mighty hand will lift us up and will restore us and our relationships, He will confirm to us who we are in Him, and He will strengthen and establish us as mighty soldiers in His army. We will be prepared and will stand strong when the end comes. The end is just the beginning of something new and beautiful though - no more suffering, no more pain, no more tears, no more separation, just life eternal with King Jesus!
I needed this reminder on why I suffer and I hope you did, too!
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