Jesus CHOSE Suffering

Suffering didn’t just happen to Jesus. He chose it…He chose to die so that others may live.

What if the Christian’s call to take up our cross and follow Jesus means “choosing suffering” as a lifestyle, rather than praying to escape it all the time? That is, seeing my role in life as a servant to all, as Jesus did- dying so that others may live, humbling myself so that others can be lifted up, denying my rights so that others can flourish? And learning to do it in joy as Christ did. His suffering was never pointless- motivated by love he was always thinking of others, suffering so that others could be healed. And through entering this suffering lifestyle, maybe God is trying to create inside us something indestructible- a faith, a rock of joy that can’t be shaken by anything in this world. After all maybe this cross of suffering we’re meant to carry was designed to transform our hearts into the very heart of Christ.

<a href="https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/vertical-shot-male-carrying-handmade-wooden-cross-grassy-field-blue sky_11942797.htm#query=take%20up%20your%20cross&position=0&from_view=search&track=ais">Image by wirestock</a> on Freepik