How much have I suffered in this life?
Have I had to absorb all the sins of the world?
Have I been abandoned by almost everyone in my life?
Have I been arrested, beaten, spat upon, mocked, cursed, and sentenced to death?
Have I been whipped until my skin is hanging in shreds from my body?
Have I had a ring of thorns put on my head so that I can’t raise my head without pain, so that the sweat of my brow goes into the cuts made by the thorns, and so that the blood from the cuts goes into my eyes?
Have I had to witness the pain of those who did stand by me, as they watched what happened to me?
Have I had to carry the instrument of my death through a crowd of people, many of whom wanted me dead?
Have I been so exhausted that I fell down numerous time, with barely the strength to stand up?
Have I been stretched too far and then nailed to a cross through my hands and feet?
Have I hung from that cross in the desert heat, in complete exhaustion, while people mocked me as they walked by?
Have I died on that cross for everyone, most of whom don’t care?
No. I haven’t suffered anywhere near as much as that.
Then I need to remember 3 things:
- What I am suffering isn’t as bad as what Jesus suffered.
- If I ask Jesus for help in getting through my suffering, He will help me. He knows what I am going through, because He has gone through much worse.
- What I am suffering I can offer to Jesus with my love, and so help Him bear His suffering.
How much do I love Jesus?
How much do you love Him?
Peace be with you.
Steve.
Peace Be With You 