Just like everyone else, us Christians, need to go through a journey. Now becoming a Christian doesn't mean that our journey is going to be easy. It doesn't mean that everything we want to happen is going to happen. Instead it means quite the opposite.
40. His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41. The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.
42. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah. (Acts 5- 40-42)
In the book of Acts the apostles were persecuted for proclaiming the word of God. As seen, they had them flogged and after that they left rejoicing. Now you may have been thinking
Why would they want to be rejoicing? But it says it right there. They rejoiced because they had been counted worthy to suffer for Jesus. After suffering they didn't stop. They went on preaching the word of God.
Are we like apostles? Do we rejoice in our suffering? Or do we throw ourselves a "pity party" (cry and complain about it).
In Acts chapter 8 Stephen was stoned to death. And at the end of it all he asked God not to hold this sin, the sin of them stoning him to death against them,
At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.
While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep. (Acts 8:57-60)
The apostles endured their Journey, the Battle. They knew what following Jesus meant. They knew it meant by picking up their cross and following after Him.
Each of us has our own cross. The question is what do you do when your cross is heavy to bare?
Do we cut it down? Do we rest it down and pick it up when we can again. Or do we tarry on. Fighting the G♥̸̨♥̸̨D̷̐ Fight that the Lord Jesus Christ has called us to.
This walk is not an easy walk, but it is one that is worth walking. God is walking with us through it all. Each and every step of the way. It may be difficult at times but with God all things are possible. Let's keep our eyes focus on Him and not on the troubles of the world.
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