Lessons

Rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed.  1 Peter 4:13

The more I learn about Jesus, the more I begin to understand just how radical He was.  In fact, Jesus was and still is so radical that believers must seem insane to the outside world.  I mean, who in their ‘right mind’ says things such as “love your enemies” or “rejoice in your sufferings?”

Human nature has very little interest in a faith that includes joyful self-denial and hardships.  Basic Christian beliefs simply do not seem rational to those who live for today only and misunderstand God’s love to mean comfort.

We know that we can face hardships on this earth with joy because we know the outcome.  We also understand what it means to follow a Lord who suffered.

Even though it may not have always been evident at the time, Jesus won every battle He ever faced.  Appearances truly are deceiving.  Sometimes what seems like defeat is often times the road to victory, especially when God is involved. We may seem crazy for keeping our joy during hard times, but in the end, we know what our suffering was for…