“For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God” (1 Peter 2:19).
If you are receiving what is due for bad behavior, what is that? If you give and others know and applaud you, what is that? The Lord is teaching us how to endure through the suffering of this world. Too many fold at the first hint of suffering. It is not about you, but about Him. The Lord is the One who made us and we are to learn to honor Him no matter what. Suffering is a part of what will happen in this age.
Lord, there are many places in Scripture where You teach me that I will suffer. If I suffer because of my own misdeeds, that is one thing, but if I suffer because of You, help me learn how to patiently endure so that I may continue in the upward path of learning to love as You love.
Lord Jesus, You know the struggle. You walked amongst those who were hating You every step of the way. You endured all the way to the cross where they heaped upon You their final indignation, which was Your plan all along. Guide me to follow Your footsteps in order that I would go where You want me to go and not where I want to go. Help me learn from You gentle Savior. Amen.
