The greatest challenge most people are faced with is the willingness to change. Our flesh does not want to change because it is comfortable with the familiar and it wants to direct us away from the unknown. When we exercise we suffer fatigue. When we work long hours we suffer mental drain. When we confront an emotionally charged topic we suffer from the imbalance among those involved. Suffering is the state of undergoing pain, distress, or hardship.
In Philippians chapter 3, Paul wrote:
8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ
9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;
10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,
11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Jesus Christ suffered pain, distress, and hardship on our behalf. Consider that fact that the SON of THE MOST HIGH GOD was willing to suffer for you and me. If anyone did not deserve to suffer it was Jesus Christ yet He found it necessary to suffer through the death on the cross in order that we might live unto HIM. It was a decision He was willing to make out of Love for us. Accept FATHER’S wisdom in the necessity of suffering.
We too must suffer to some degree in order to grow and mature. You literally tear down your muscle when you exercise and as a result your body repairs it and builds it up to a greater degree thus you become stronger. This larger, stronger muscle allows you to do more. This simple example provides us with a Truth about becoming Christ-like. Our flesh must suffer and we must be willing to subject it to suffering in order to change. Paul made this point when he counted all things “loss” in return for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus.
What are we willing to give up to change? Some of us need to give up a toxic relationship with another who keeps us held back. We must simply rise up above the shackles that keep us from our purpose in life. Fear of change often causes people to remain in submission to a state of futility and emptiness.
There were times in the past when I was required to perform to the point of exhaustion. Coaches will push the players beyond their mental limits in order to show them that their bodies are not as limited as they thought. Once I broke through the barrier of the illusion I was under concerning by body’s ability, my performance improved. The coach had to break through the limits set by my mind, will, and emotions. “I can’t” became “I can!”
Isn’t this what happened to the ten lepers whom Jesus passed in Luke 17?
12 Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off.
13 And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”
14 So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed.
They were willing to change their perspective and in one day they went from a death sentence to freedom. As we embrace change we will open up news doors to enter. Did you really want to stay as a baby in diapers? Did you really want to remain in school without ever experiencing life as an adult? Change is happening all around us whether we are ready or not, especially now. Chaos is coming to a greater degree as the world’s systems are in flux. You will either resist change or embrace it. If you embrace change, FATHER is able to lead and guide you through the challenges ahead. Yes there will be suffering involved but as you mature in Christ, you will look back and be glad you went through the death of your old man.
Do not remain in the shadows of darkness but be of good courage and walk toward the light. HIS Love is there awaiting your presence.