Sharing in Suffering
Reading for Thursday, March 18
Romans 8:12-51
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
Verse 18 NIV
As a Christian, I like the thought of sharing in Christ’s glory, but what about sharing in His suffering? Jesus took care of the death penalty for us all so we don’t ever have to worry about that again. But the Bible teaches that we must suffer times of trial if we are to share in the glory. Is it worth it? According to Romans 8:18, it certainly is!
There are different levels of faith, and most of the time I want to use my faith to get rid of all suffering. But sometimes God’s plan is for me to exercise a higher level of faith that will carry us through life’s challenges. We tend to believe that we suffer because of our circumstances and if they would only change, we’d be able to act right. But God wants us to become so complete and secure that we act right even when none of our circumstances are good.
Paul said that present sufferings are nothing compared to the future glory that comes from walking with Jesus. Don’t you want to have that same attitude? May we all have the blessing of “patience” as we walk through any suffering that may come our way. We “wait” for that glorious day when the Holy Spirit will “intercede” for us.
“Breathe on me, breath of God,
fill me with life anew
That I may love the way you love
and do what you would do.”
-- Edwin Hatch, 1886
Jane Stritesky
Reading for Thursday, March 18
Romans 8:12-51
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
Verse 18 NIV
As a Christian, I like the thought of sharing in Christ’s glory, but what about sharing in His suffering? Jesus took care of the death penalty for us all so we don’t ever have to worry about that again. But the Bible teaches that we must suffer times of trial if we are to share in the glory. Is it worth it? According to Romans 8:18, it certainly is!
There are different levels of faith, and most of the time I want to use my faith to get rid of all suffering. But sometimes God’s plan is for me to exercise a higher level of faith that will carry us through life’s challenges. We tend to believe that we suffer because of our circumstances and if they would only change, we’d be able to act right. But God wants us to become so complete and secure that we act right even when none of our circumstances are good.
Paul said that present sufferings are nothing compared to the future glory that comes from walking with Jesus. Don’t you want to have that same attitude? May we all have the blessing of “patience” as we walk through any suffering that may come our way. We “wait” for that glorious day when the Holy Spirit will “intercede” for us.
“Breathe on me, breath of God,
fill me with life anew
That I may love the way you love
and do what you would do.”
-- Edwin Hatch, 1886
Jane Stritesky