How do you react when you are suffering and going through something that is really hard for you? Do you shut down? Shut others out? Bring other people down with your negative attitude? Or do you take suffering like a champ, like Jesus did?
There are a countless number of stories in the bible where Jesus sets an example for how we should conduct ourselves. As believers in Christ Jesus, we should pray to have a heart like Jesus everyday.
I came across an example of conduct and behavior that Jesus showed in 1 Peter chapter 2 and I wanted to encourage you with it today so that next time you are experiencing suffering you know how to better conduct yourselves in the midst of the suffering you are going through.
To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
"He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth/"
When they hurled insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. (1 Peter 2:21-23)
When Jesus was being cursed and insulted he took it all, he never retaliated one bit. How admirable is that? Usually our instincts are to fire back and to show that you are flustered. When we do that, Satan wins that battle. One of the things I try to work on the most is to not retaliate when I am being insulted. I have gotten a lot better at it but I still fail. There are still times where it gets so bad that I show my frustration and retaliate with the words that I say. I have a desire to have a heart like Jesus so I will continue to work on this the best that I can.
Another admirable example that Christ set was to never make any threats. I can't even image what was being said to Jesus, yet he made no threats. I mean how hard would that be? Jesus trusted God's plan the entire time and understood he was going to suffer for us and he did it...he took it all.
We suffer for many reasons. Some suffering is the direct result of our own sins some happen because of our foolishness; some is the result of living in a fallen world. Peter is writing about suffering that comes as a result of doing good. Christ never sinned, and yet he suffered so that we could be set free. Jesus' suffering was part of God's plan and was intended to save us. All who follow Jesus must be prepared to suffer. Our goal should always be to face suffering as he did - with patience, calmness, and confidence that God is in control of the future.
I encourage you to really look at how you react the next time that you experience suffering. Don't retaliate, make no threats, be calm, have patience, and trust that God is in control of the future. When you begin to live like Jesus did, your life will begin to change. How you speak will change, how you act, and how you think. Remember, Jesus went through all of that suffering for YOU.
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