“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18 (NIV)
SEEK HIM: Devotion is Meeting with God in Our Own Lives!
Suffering is a part of everyone’s life, but choosing to suffer for the sake of Christ is something the world will never understand. To most people, avoiding hardship, maximizing comfort, and pursuing an easy life is the logical path. But for those who follow Jesus, there is a higher calling—one that often involves sacrifice, struggle, and even persecution. Suffering for Christ is not in vain, so let’s Seek Him about this! (Listen to this podcast episode about Margaret Wilson HERE as you begin!)
WHAT: What is God saying through this Scripture?
The pain we endure for Christ may seem foolish in the eyes of the world, but God promises that it is incomparable to what He has in store for us. God’s people can step into suffering—not because we enjoy pain, but because we can see a greater purpose beyond what is immediately visible. We can sacrifice, for whatever mission God gives us knowing that He will use our suffering for something eternal. ~ What is a hardship that you’ve endured because you are a Christ follower? What are some examples of people in Scripture or history who suffered for Jesus? How does this impact your view of suffering in your own life?
WHY: Why does this Scripture matter?
Scripture teaches that God neither ignores nor wastes our suffering. Choosing to live for Christ, even when it costs us, is never wasted in God’s economy. He uses every sacrifice, every hardship, and every moment of suffering to accomplish something far beyond what we can see.~ Why do you think God allows His people to endure suffering for His sake? How does knowing that God sees and values our suffering give us strength to endure? Can you think of a time when God used a painful season in your life for something greater? How does this verse encourage you to trust God even when you don’t understand your circumstances?
HOW: How does God want us to respond to this truth?
We live out this truth by shifting our mindset from avoiding suffering to embracing it when it comes as a result of faithfully following Jesus. Instead of running from difficulty, we can trust that God is using every hardship for His purposes. We can step into hard places, difficult conversations, and bold obedience, knowing that the world may not understand—but God sees and God rewards. ~ What is one way God may want you to sacrifice, maybe facing hardship or rejection? How can you encourage someone else who is suffering for their faith? Why can you trust God when life becomes difficult?
SPEAK HIM: Discipleship is Making God Known to Others!
Choosing to suffer for Christ’s sake will never make sense to the world, but God sees every sacrifice in His Name and uses it for His eternal purposes. March MISSION Madness invites us to live in such a way that our sacrifices impact others in Jesus’ Name.
