Week 11 Living On Mission: Called to Suffer
“For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.” 1 Peter 2:21
Suffering is the last thing any of us would like to experience. At best, we accept it as an inevitable part of living on this planet. But to see it as a calling from God? That sounds contradictory to the joyful and abundant life that Jesus promised. Yet God, in his mercy, has seen fit to call us to something greater than inevitable suffering. He calls us to suffering that fulfills a redemptive purpose which reveals his goodness, truth, and beauty.
Day 71: Monday – Suffer with Christ in Mind
“Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.” Isaiah 53:10
- Key Thought: Compare your personal suffering to that of Christ’s in order to humbly accept God’s calling and to be grateful for what Christ endured.
- Prayer Focus: Lord, I place my suffering in your hands, knowing that as you loved your Son so, too, you love me.
Day 72: Tuesday – Suffer to Be Like Christ
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” Romans 8:28-29
- Key Thought: All things- good or bad -are designed for our good. And that goodness is for us to be conformed to the image of Christ.
- Prayer Focus: Lord, I would prefer that whatever sufferings I endure to turn out to be happy endings. But I will seek the greatest ending in all my sufferings: To be like you.
Day 73: Wednesday – Suffer to Reveal Christ
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our bodies.For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.” 2 Corinthians 4:7-11
- Key Thought: Our suffering is not to be a private one but rather a display of God’s work in us through Christ. Our weakness is an opportunity for the truth of the Gospel to show forth.
- Prayer Focus: Lord, let your light shine through the brokenness of my fragile clay so others might see you.
Day 74: Thursday – Suffer for the Sake of Others
“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13
- Key Thought: There isn’t a greater love on the planet than when we lay down our lives for the sake of another person. It is an act of courage to trust God that such a sacrifice will yield blessing for another.
- Prayer Focus: Lord, the last thing I want to do at times is to put my needs second and others’ needs first. The world says I’m foolish. But you say I’m great. I trust you and seek your approval, not the world’s.
Day 75: Friday – Suffer While Doing Good
“Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.” 1 Peter 4:19
- Key Thought: Suffering purely for the sake of suffering can lead to self-righteousness and pride. But suffering while doing good focuses our attention on the righteous of God and truly benefits others.
- Prayer Focus: Lord, guard my pride from suffering that focuses on me and not on the blessing that can accrue to others through it.
Day 76: Saturday – Suffer With Eternity In View
“For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
- Key Thought: Someday, we will see the outcome of our suffering in tangible and glorified ways. We will not only understand the reasons for our suffering, but it will be a source of praise for God that is declared to the heavens!
- Prayer Focus: Lord, create something beautiful for eternity out of my suffering. Whether it is to draw my family and friends into the Kingdom or to testify to the universe of your great wisdom and mercy. I trust my suffering into your hands for eternity!
Day 77: Sunday
I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!” Psalm 122:1
Gathering together for worship is a joyful privilege.
- Key Thought: I can be excited to go and worship the lord!
- Prayer Focus: That God would prepare my heart for worshiping him today!