My verse for today: "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood." Hebrews 12:2 - 4, NIV.
This verse speaks volumes to me. First of all, in my daily struggles, I find myself often feeling sorry for myself. I ask God why he puts me through the struggles that he allows in my life. Doesn't he understand what I am going through? Well, obviously, he does. As the verse says, we haven't had to go through anything close to what he went through as far as suffering goes.
Whatever we may be facing, Jesus tells us, "I have been there." Have you ever been betrayed by a close friend? Jesus was betrayed to his death by one of his own disciples. With a kiss! Were you abandoned? Jesus' disciples not only fell asleep when he was praying his last, desparate prayer, but when the mob came to arrest him, they all fled. One even blatantly denied even knowing him. Have you been rejected by your family? Jesus' family accused him of being possessed by demons. Have you lost your home or your possessions? Jesus had not even a place to lay his head.
Are you worried or stressed out? Jesus was so distraught that he sweat blood. Falsely accused of something? Jesus was challenged by the leaders in the synagogue on numerous occasions, and finally he spent hours being bounced around in Kangaroo court. Have you been separated from your loved ones? Jesus was away from his real home, heaven, for more than 30 years. Have you felt depressed? Jesus said, "My soul is overwhelmed to the point of death." (Matthew 26:38) Have you suffered from abuse? Jesus was tortured and then crucified.
So, how did Jesus do it? What kept him going? I don't see that he had a huge fan base cheering him on, and neither do we. What was it that helped him win the battle? As the verse says, "for the joy set before him." He knew what awaited him. He knew that Heaven would be worth whatever risk he took. And it wasn't just heaven. He already had that before. It was eternity WITH US!
Now, whenever I feel that life is unfair, or that the challenges are too hard, I think of Jesus talking to me: "When you decided to follow me, you gave me your life. Well, I gave you mine, too. It wasn't easy for me either."
This verse speaks volumes to me. First of all, in my daily struggles, I find myself often feeling sorry for myself. I ask God why he puts me through the struggles that he allows in my life. Doesn't he understand what I am going through? Well, obviously, he does. As the verse says, we haven't had to go through anything close to what he went through as far as suffering goes.
Whatever we may be facing, Jesus tells us, "I have been there." Have you ever been betrayed by a close friend? Jesus was betrayed to his death by one of his own disciples. With a kiss! Were you abandoned? Jesus' disciples not only fell asleep when he was praying his last, desparate prayer, but when the mob came to arrest him, they all fled. One even blatantly denied even knowing him. Have you been rejected by your family? Jesus' family accused him of being possessed by demons. Have you lost your home or your possessions? Jesus had not even a place to lay his head.
Are you worried or stressed out? Jesus was so distraught that he sweat blood. Falsely accused of something? Jesus was challenged by the leaders in the synagogue on numerous occasions, and finally he spent hours being bounced around in Kangaroo court. Have you been separated from your loved ones? Jesus was away from his real home, heaven, for more than 30 years. Have you felt depressed? Jesus said, "My soul is overwhelmed to the point of death." (Matthew 26:38) Have you suffered from abuse? Jesus was tortured and then crucified.
So, how did Jesus do it? What kept him going? I don't see that he had a huge fan base cheering him on, and neither do we. What was it that helped him win the battle? As the verse says, "for the joy set before him." He knew what awaited him. He knew that Heaven would be worth whatever risk he took. And it wasn't just heaven. He already had that before. It was eternity WITH US!
Now, whenever I feel that life is unfair, or that the challenges are too hard, I think of Jesus talking to me: "When you decided to follow me, you gave me your life. Well, I gave you mine, too. It wasn't easy for me either."
