Have you suffered???

1 Peter 4:1 & 2..."Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; (2) That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God."

I was just talking with someone about this topic a few minutes ago...more along the lines of the "Prodigal Son", though (see Luke 15:11-32). You know, when we go through the hard times, often it brings us closer to a relationship to God. Unfortunately, sometimes it takes our lowest times to fall flat on our faces for us to lift our eyes to the One that is above ourselves.

As we were talking, we spoke about when the Prodigal Son decided to go home that he probably passed countless pig farms. Was he ever enticed to go work there, or were his eyes upon the prize (his father's house)? Did he ever look at corn the same way? When we go through life, are we drawn back into the same miry pits we have dwelt in, or are our eyes even more fixed upon our Father's house?

When we have suffered in our humanity and ask for help, it tends to make it that much more important to never go there again. We see what we have done not only to ourselves, but those around us.

What is it in your life? Is it the movie you shouldn't watch, the drink you know should pass on, the words you should avoid, the crowd, or what? Whatever it is that brings you down, AVOID!!! You have so much to gain by doing God's will and so much to lose by giving in!

Like the passage says: "he that suffereth in the flesh hath ceased from sin"...If you've suffered, don't dwell on it, but also don't forget it! It may be what inspires you to stay on the straight and narrow!!!

If there is a prayer that I can word on your behalf today, please let me know.