Suffering For Doing The Right Thing

Living with God in our complicated world often presents difficult challenges such as: waiting for something we feel desperately in need of right now; not retaliating with anger when someone harms us; living with less when we could scam our way into having more; facing the consequences of revealing a difficult truth. 

In spite of the immediate pain we may feel, God promises that we will be blessed when we make the right choice and do the right thing.

Blessed are those who suffer for doing what is right.  The kingdom of heaven belongs to them. 

Matthew 5:10

The greatest example of this is Jesus.  He had done no wrong and did not deserve punishment and death.  Yet, to pay the penalty for our sins, Jesus was willing to be nailed to a cross and die there. 

While He was suffering on that cross, many who watched or just passed by made fun of Him.  Jesus knew that the Father’s plan for Him was to offer up His life, so others could be forgiven, and they could receive an eternal relationship with their Heavenly Father.  So, in spite of the false evidence spoken against Him, the suffering, and the mocking, Jesus willingly stayed on the cross. 

Those who passed by shouted at Jesus and made fun of him. They shook their heads. In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders made fun of him.  “He saved others,” they said. “But he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross! Then we will believe in him.  In the same way the rebels who were being crucified with Jesus also made fun of him.

Matthew 27:39, 41-42, 44

Heavenly Father, We will never have to suffer to the degree that Jesus did.  When we are inconvenienced and a bit unpopular because we choose to do things Your way rather than the world’s way, help us to remember that You really do know best.  Jesus was later raised up with honour and glory for His obedience and we believe that we will also be blessed by You as we persevere and do what is right.

Suffering is never easy to endure but help us to choose what is right rather than what is convenient.  Help us to honour You in all our ways rather than simply going along with the crowd.  Amen

Well, for most of us, most of the choices we make today won’t involve us having to suffer but there will be a moment when that will be a very real choice for all of us.  Let’s lean on God so we can choose what’s right regardless.  Have a great day.