I'm a wimp! I encounter a few struggles in life and I think the whole world's against me. I have no idea what it really means to be persecuted for Christ's sake. Sure I've been kicked around for doing what I've thought God was asking me to do, but that's always been by "Christians." I've felt the ostracism by some for my faith or stand (once again mostly by other "believers." But come on, I've never faced real persecution for my faith. Nobody's led a stoning party against me with real stones. Nobody's imprisoned me for preaching. Nobody's beat me for proclaiming Christ. No one has thrown me to the lions or hung me on a cross just for claiming Christ as king.
I'm just a big baby. Things don't go my way and I want to throw in the towel, take my toys and go home. I don't know the first thing about suffering. I have felt the onslaught of spiritual warfare. I have experienced demonic oppression bearing down on me, my fellow leaders, and my church family. But I've never lost sight of putting on the armor of God and claiming my victory in Jesus.
That spiritual warfare stuff does take its toll on my mental state. I do get tired of weighing in as other battle for spiritual victory in Christ. And the day to day burdens of church, teaching, life and family work me over. But real honest to goodness suffering, I'm just a panty waist in that arena. To be honest, I'm not actually looking forward to entering that ring. Oh me of little faith. If you're so confident and spiritual you jump into the fire first.
Lots of things that many of us consider suffering isn't persecution for our faith. It's either the normal rigors of life in a fallen world or the consequences of our own stupid choices or actions. If we'd obeyed God in the first place we wouldn't have to face those issues.
Peter said it's hard enough for the righteous to be saved, what's gonna happen to the ungodly? That means no matter my my circumstance or situation I need to pursue Christ, praise Christ, obey Christ. I've met a lot of families this week in the ICU waiting room. They're suffering through the life and death crisis of their loved ones. I watch how each family clings to the hope of a doctor's ability or words. I sat there and shared my hope with them with my desire for them to find comfort in my God and Savior. I wanted to allow them to experience the same optimism, security and love I experience in God.
God, thanks for sparing me any real suffering. I praise you for those steadfast martyrs of faith past and present who truly have suffered and are suffering for your name. Lord, help me to be faithful to you and trusting of you in my minor trials so that you can receive the glory.
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