Suffering? Obey Anyway

I am suffering in this world. I get along and feel the persecution that comes my way. How can I continue to suffer when there are those that are getting so much in this world and it seems as though they have it so easy?

“⁹And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him.” – Hebrews 5:9 (ESV)

And there you have it. Jesus is my example of how I should continue in this world. He is my savior through His actions of death on a cross. He suffered immensely before His death, both immediately and throughout His life. He was tested, ridiculed, beaten, and eventually crucified for living life in obedience to God the Father. What did He do wrong, nothing. He was a non-sinner among sinners and yet He still held to the role he was given as “priest forever” (Hebrews 5:6 (ESV)).

I am no priest, but I am an inherited child of God and that is what I have to hold on to. Priests of biblical times were just men and were priest of men. They were really no different than I am today in that as men, they still suffered and sacrificed.

“¹For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. ²He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. ³Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people.” – Hebrews 5:1-3 (ESV)

Jesus suffered and sacrificed for me just as the priests did for the people. The difference is that He did not have to suffer and sacrifice for Himself as He was/is already perfect and never did/will sin. I have an obligation to continue my suffering for God and in obedience to Him. I have to also remember that like the priest of biblical times, I will be sacrificing for others so that they can grow closer to God, but I am also sacrificing and suffering for myself. I must be the vessel through which God works here in this world, and therefore I am obligated to to His will regardless of the consequences that this world brings upon me.

When you find yourself suffering, where does your heart and mind turn? Are you aware that you just may be the one designed to suffer and sacrifice for those around you? When you suffer, are you still willing to obey God for the good of others and yourself?