Stellar Example

There are people who live in a way that seems to navigate suffering and struggle with ease. I know that in the middle of the suffering that it is hard to see beyond the here and now. I can speak as someone who has been through suffering, it does pass. It is not easy to wait for it to pass, I had to learn to walk even in the middle of it. I wanted to hide in the corner or run from people and simply be alone, but that usually makes things worse instead of better. When I think I’ve suffered, I simply have to look around and see others who are profoundly suffering and often have situations much worse than I have. Suffering and struggle is not fun. I think if I had a choice, I would want to be full of joy and happy all the time. Struggle and suffering reveal our true character. My times of struggle and suffering really tested my faith in God. I learned that He is up to the test! The Lord knows the deepest part of my struggle and suffering. Check this out…

²¹ For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.

²² He never sinned,
    nor ever deceived anyone.
²³ He did not retaliate when he was insulted,
    nor threaten revenge when he suffered.
He left his case in the hands of God,
    who always judges fairly.
²⁴ He personally carried our sins
    in his body on the cross
so that we can be dead to sin
    and live for what is right.
By his wounds
    you are healed.
²⁵ Once you were like sheep
    who wandered away.
But now you have turned to your Shepherd,
    the Guardian of your souls.(1 Peter 2:21-25 NLT)

I am encouraged when I think of the suffering of Jesus. He poured into the people. He went about teaching, healing and ministering to people in their suffering and struggle. He knew He was headed to a showdown with the religious authorities of His day. He walked right through it. He took the insults, the hits and the disrespect, even though He could have struck back in retaliation and been justified – He didn’t. He is the Stellar Example of how to navigate suffering and struggle. He leaned into His Father. He knew His mission. His decisions to walk through suffering were clear and grounded in His mission to become the Sacrifice, once -for all sin. He accomplished His mission and He is honored. I want to follow His example as I navigate the suffering and struggle that come my way. I’m not Jesus, but I sure want to be like Him!

Pressing On!

Dwayne