1 Peter 2:20,21......But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
One of the toughest questions I've ever been asked is "why do bad things happen to good people". One answer certainly is that evil is all around us trying to take us down all the time. However, the other answer is that perhaps someone is going to grow in their relationship with God, or even come to know God, because of how they watched you endure your suffering. Jesus suffered to make a way to the father, why should I not think that I could endure some suffering so that God could use my life to point someone to Jesus. When suffering comes try not to only look at the bad of the situation. Instead, try to ask God to help you endure it so those around you can see Christ in you. No one likes the suffering when it is happening them. But in Hebrews it says "(Jesus) who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross". So it was for joy that Jesus suffered the cross? It certainly wasn't His own joy....so this means Jesus suffered the cross for our joy. If Christ was able to suffer for my joy, then it would be my prayer that the joy of a relationship with Christ might be found by someone due to the suffering I go through in life....and in turn I would find favor with God in my own life. Psalm 30:5 says "weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning."
God, let me always be aware that others are watching me and how I handle the suffering that comes my way. Please give me the strength to always point people to the cross with my actions, not away from it. In Jesus name, Amen
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