Consider Him

“The feeling of being let down is actually one of life’s toughest emotional experiences,” wrote Maia Szalavitz in New York Magazine.

Disappointment is a very real thing. And there are a lot of times when we feel let down in life. Maybe you’ve even felt as though God has let you down.

I think that’s how the disciples felt when Jesus was nailed to a cross. He’d told them repeatedly what was about to happen. He was very exact. But they may have thought He was speaking metaphorically. They didn’t take it literally, but they should have because that is exactly what happened.

When Jesus was betrayed and crucified, it defeated their hope, destroyed their dreams, and demolished their faith.

So if you’re feeling disappointed and discouraged, come back to Hebrews 12: “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (verse 2 NKJV).

Then the writer of Hebrews goes on to say, “For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls” (verse 3 NKJV). The word “consider” the writer used here means “compare yourself with.” Contrast what you’re going through with what Jesus went through for you.

In other words, look at the suffering that Christ experienced. For Jesus, the worst part of dying on the cross wasn’t the betrayal of his friends, the scourging, or even the crucifixion itself. The worst part literally was bearing the sins of the world because Jesus never sinned once. Even so, He pressed on.

What, therefore, can keep you going? Fix your eyes on Jesus. Compare your suffering with His suffering. Keep running your race for Jesus because Jesus ran His race for you.