Learn how to suffer
The 5 Verbs of Learning: Celebrate
You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured.Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.
2Timothy 3:10-11
Look at Paul’s confidence that the depth of his life was passed on to Timothy. And observe how the transformation that sustained Paul in his suffering also prepared Timothy for future testing.
Imagine preparing someone else for future difficulties by them simply knowing us as we respond to suffering in a Christ-like way. Leaving such a legacy is cause for real rejoicing!
God wants you to become a laborer and probably already has that person waiting for you to invite. That person is ready to learn from you, to observe your life and teaching and to watch you as you face trials. Your patience and love, endurance and resilience are waiting to be passed on as you share life. Don’t hold back. Your risking will lead to celebration.
For Reflection:
- How has your own suffering changed you?
- Consider the discipleship of watching others suffer? What does it teach you?
Make Life Count:
- Imagine being at the very end of your life, then write a letter to yourself for today. Give advice of what you need to do so that you will be able to say, like Paul, that someone else knows all about your life.
- Consider sharing your letter with us. This could help you strengthen your resolve.
Thirsty for More?
- In your journal, write out what you would like to see written on your tomb stone. How do you need to live for that to happen?
Together with you in this discipleship adventure,
