Hebrews 12:2-7

Hebrews 12:2-3 - Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Hebrews 12:4-7 - In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.  And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."  Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons.  For what son is not disciplined by his father?

The other day I heard the concept of the "passive wrath of God" for the first time.  The passive wrath of God would look something like this:  You are born, without blemish, perfect in every way.  You have an amazing life with no hunger, no pain, no struggles with sin, no sickness, no un-met needs, no wants and no untimely death or sorrow.  Basically the world at your finger tips, you appear to be blessed.  You die and when judged, the Lord says I knew you NOT and you are cast into the firey pit.  You went through life with no need to turn to God, no need to rely on Him.  This would be the passive wrath of God.

Foruntately for us He loves us and wants us to learn to rely on Him.  He places opportunities in our lives to come closer to Him, to learn to depend on Him and to love him.  Opportunities you say?  Yes!

In our hardships he is perfecting our faith, in our struggles with sin, the pain we endure from a lost love one, from what ever is going on in your life, He is teaching us to rely soley on Him and not our own devices.  He is calling us closer and closer to Him.

Romans 8:18 - I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Don't let your suffering get you down, rejoice in it knowing that it's bringing you closer to God and that none of it will compare with the glory of God.