Suffering for Righteousness Sake

Hard days…harder nights.

No matter how grating today was…no matter how intolerable your now seems or how intimidating your tomorrow may be…

Just these three words:  

But.  For.  God.

Because He’s sovereign, ya’ know.  And when we cross paths with suffering and the flinch-worthy pains of this life – when we cross paths with our crosses – it doesn’t change God.  And when we fail to open His Word – it doesn’t change what is written.  Not even one teensy weensy iota.  And He is who He is, because He’s God: the I Am.  And no one changes that.

And suffering?  Cross-carrying, burden-bearing suffering?  It doesn’t change Him either.  And it wasn’t a surprise – it didn’t knock Him off His throne.  He’s still where He’s always been being who He’s always been. 

And suffering?  It’s always the opportunity for God to be glorified and for His gospel to be made known.

On the darkest days and the brightest days…on all the days, lock eyes with Jesus and throw away the key.

In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.
(1 Peter 1:6-9) 

For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; and while being reviled He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness…
(1 Peter 2:21-24a) 

For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong. (1 Peter 3:17) 

Beloved, do not be surprised at the firey ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.  … but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. … Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right. (1 Peter 4:12, 16, 19)

From the Fullness of His Grace,

Lacey