Trust...
"During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the One who could save him from death, and He was heard because of His reverent submission. Son though He was, He learned obedience from what He suffered and, once made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek." Heb. 5:7-9.
If you're enduring a hardship for an extended period of time, there is a constant struggle and challenge to let go and trust God. It's a continual battle between your flesh and spirit. Our sinful, natural, human self wants to control situations and achieve favorable outcomes. We think we know what's best and we try many methods to solve the problem. But our repetitive frustration drives us back to God again, letting go one more time. Just when you think you've completely let go, there's a deeper level still to attain. It's like an onion that is being peeled back one layer at a time until the core of the matter is exposed, raw and vulnerable, and wholly submitted to the Master Chef.
Jesus learned obedience from what He suffered. Think about that for a moment. If He is indeed our best example in all things, where do we stand in comparison to this statement? First of all, Jesus had to "learn"? Wow. That's shocking. Secondly, obedience was a worthy goal and beneficial life path involving intimate relationship with God. Thirdly, He learned it through suffering. Hardships have a special way of bringing out what is really important and what you really want versus need.
I want us to study that sentence and let the Lord work on our hearts about this. Jesus learned obedience from what He suffered. How are we doing with that?
