Negative talk. . .hardships . . . things happen that we do not like or do not expect to happen. God knew about them. While we may not invite them, we must encounter them! With God's help, we can and will get through them and if we follow His plan, all to His glory and our good!
While many May quote Psalm 23, we find it hard to live out . . .
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.(Psalm 23:4)
Going through challenges and hardships can adversely change the way we live, the people we associate with, and our plans for the future. Yet we must find our strength and solace in Christ. This is how we grow in our "relationship," with Christ. It's when religion becomes a relationship and not a habit!
Peter knows a bit about suffering for Christ. Read carefully . . .
Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?” As I Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.(1 Peter 4:12-19)
If we struggle . . . if we are to suffer . . . suffer for and because of Christ, not because we are against Him!
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