“So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.” (1 Peter 4:19)
Why would God allow this? Why would God let this happen to me…now?!? Why do I have to go through this suffering?
Jesus never promised an easy earthly life for people who wear His name. In fact, He blesses us with crosses. What is a “cross”? Finally, it’s anything that we suffer because we are Christian. It can be external – when others do or say harmful things to us because we’re Christian. The cross can also be internal – when we daily struggle to deny ourselves and fight our sinful natures.
It’s not always an easy road. But what do we know? Jesus took up His cross. Why? Because with His cross He won your eternal forgiveness! He won your eternal freedom! He won eternal life for you! With Jesus’ death and resurrection you’re saved!
But there are so many things in life that try to distract us from Jesus – things, people, power, etc. So what does God in love do? He blesses us with struggles and suffering. Why? Because it peals us away from our love affair with this sinful world and moves us to lean solely on Jesus.
God teaches us to commit ourselves to Him, our faithful Creator and Savior. In Jesus you have everything you could possibly need for life and eternity! Commit yourself to him and continue to do good!
Committing myself to Jesus, just like you,
pastor