Expecting to Suffer as Much as Jesus Did
We just read an interesting sermon on suffering, and especially on the fact that we should rejoice in our suffering, because through pain, we share in Jesus' suffering. This is not a new concept to me, but it is still hard. After all, it is also true that to be reunited with Jesus in the Kingdom of God is our only real hope in this sense. This makes life look bleak, and it isn't. Even though it may be a precedent to eternal life in Christ, it is still life on Earth that we have to live at this point.
I like the idea of rejoicing in your suffering, because it means we are thankful for whatever God hands us. However, it isn't said this isn't hard. Even the most faithful Christians are angry with God sometimes, and I, being an uncertain believer, find myself calling out God's name in anger very often.
Jesus suffered because of being Jesus. Should we expect to be treated better than Him? Not really, I guess, and this is not God's fault. After all, people have free will, too, and they choose to treat each other badly. Why do I turn to God to end this suffering? As someone who has lived as a non-believer all my life, I do not feel that it is the world in its entirety that is bad, but people are actually hated for their beliefs, just like Jesus was. This is a reality, and we'd better keep to our faith than turn to God in resentment for something He didn't do.
I like the idea of rejoicing in your suffering, because it means we are thankful for whatever God hands us. However, it isn't said this isn't hard. Even the most faithful Christians are angry with God sometimes, and I, being an uncertain believer, find myself calling out God's name in anger very often.
Jesus suffered because of being Jesus. Should we expect to be treated better than Him? Not really, I guess, and this is not God's fault. After all, people have free will, too, and they choose to treat each other badly. Why do I turn to God to end this suffering? As someone who has lived as a non-believer all my life, I do not feel that it is the world in its entirety that is bad, but people are actually hated for their beliefs, just like Jesus was. This is a reality, and we'd better keep to our faith than turn to God in resentment for something He didn't do.