How to Handle Affliction and SufferingSample

Fix your eyes on Jesus

“Consider Him [Jesus] who endured from sinners such hostility against Himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” (Hebrews 12:3)

When you are mocked and treated unjustly for your faith, you may feel very lonely. It’s hard to be shut out! But you are not alone. The book of Hebrews gives a long list of people who were also walking in faith. Many of them faced afflictions as well. We read about jeers and flogging, chains and imprisonment, persecution and mistreatment, even murder. These people died in faith, expecting God’s salvation.

The ultimate example is Jesus, who makes our faith complete. He endured angry insults and suffered death on a cross — on our behalf. The book of Hebrews says He endured all this “because of the joy He could see waiting for Him” (Hebrews 12:2). Jesus received the reward of His suffering. He is now sitting at God’s right hand in glory, surrounded by people He has saved.

When you are growing weary of all the suffering and affliction you are going through, fix your eyes on Jesus and on the glory He has prepared for you if you believe in Him. As Paul says, “I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).

Looking to Jesus will enable you to run with endurance the race that is set before you.