Monday, May 10: Is it worth it?

Do you have friends in the Lord who seem to suffer more than you do? Do you attribute that suffering to the bad decisions they have made? Personally, I have friends who seem to suffer greatly and others who don’t seem to suffer at all. Yet we know that every Christian will suffer at some time in their walk, for we are baptized into the suffering of Jesus Christ.


Anytime we need an example of how to live our lives, a great place to start is the life of Jesus. Certainly, He suffered greatly so that we might live, and He told us that because He was hated, we shall be hated, too. Job certainly suffered greatly, too, and though many erroneously believe that the Book of Job is about why the just suffer, the book is more about the fact that we will suffer. Did Job bring that suffering on himself? No, God removed the hedge of protection from his most trusted servant and allowed Satan access to both Job and Job’s family! The only stipulation that the Lord gave Satan was that he was not allowed to kill Job. Yet, in one day, Job’s 10 children died! Through that suffering, God drew Job closer than before. In the midst of that trial, Job summed up his feelings about God in Job 13:15: “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.”


Paul was another who endured a lot while on this earth. Why?


12 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, 13 so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; 14 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
Philippians 1:12-14


18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Romans 8:18


Is it worth it to endure difficult times for the Lord? If God told you that you were going to have to endure 10 years of extreme physical pain, but would use your difficulties to bring others to Him, would you do it? All of us are not called to be martyrs, but if that is your calling, the Lord will walk you through the entire path. When you can’t walk, He will carry you. Look at Stephen and each of the apostles.  All but John died as martyrs, and John was plunged into burning oil but did not die. Are you willing to die for your beliefs? If not, you really don’t believe! If Jesus is everything to you, then the love of your life won’t get in the way. Neither will the worry of handling the pain of death. He is with us always!