“Endure suffering as discipline: God is dealing with you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline?” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12:7‬ ‭CSB‬‬

The walk with Christ is not easy. The human body hates it and has no desire to undergo such endeavours. Jesus tells us; that first, we must forsake everything in the world. Once we do that, we must pick up our cross and follow Him. I have never had to carry a cross on which a person could be crucified, but I have carried large, awkward objects for long distances during my time in the military. I can only imagine the pain of carrying a huge wooden cross large enough for a man to hang from. The point to understand is, that a Biblical walk with God will not be easy.

You must endure suffering. The hardships associated with walking God (waiting for God to miraculously give you a more expensive house does not count) are the disciplining and confirming of our minds into the likeness of Christ. When you dig into the Greek, the word for discipline is παιδεία (paideia) which translates as ”tutorage, i.e. education or training; by implication, disciplinary correction:—chastening, chastisement, instruction, nurture.”. The word that indicates suffering is ὑπομένω (hypomenō) which translates as “to stay under (behind), i.e. remain; figuratively, to undergo, i.e. bear (trials), have fortitude, persevere:—abide, endure, (take) patient(-ly), suffer, tarry behind.”. So, if you are a child of God, He will educate you and give you disciplinary correction and chastisement. This nurturing tutoring must be endured patiently with fortitude. Or, if I was to paraphrase the first portion of this scripture, “You must endure the staff of God, for, through those corrections which are hard to endure, God is working with you as a son or daughter.”

Our walk with God requires us to crucify our flesh and earthly desires. This is why we give away our finances and focus on helping people in need. This is why we do not dress up looking to be wealthy like the gentiles. This is why we labour throughout the night in prayers and intercession. This is why we sacrifice sleep to worship and praise. This is why we read and reread and reread the whole of His Bible. It is through these basic initial steps of obedience to His word that we can start to embrace the more arduous trials of faith that come. If you have yet to set a regular prayer routine at the start of your day, make one. If you do not read the Bible from cover to cover, start. If you do not read the Bible every day, start. If you are not yet ready to endure suffering for the love of our God, the question then to you is, why is it you can suffer to awake for work? What is your true love?

My brothers and sisters, prepare yourselves. As the time of the Lord gets closer, His word is obvious, and the walk of faith will get more challenging. Therefore, prepare yourselves today while it is possible to strengthen yourself and root yourself in God. Fill your life with chasing all things to do with God then you will enjoy the peace He gives your soul.