Walking through struggles

¹³ Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? ¹⁴ But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.”¹⁵ But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, ¹⁶ keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. ¹⁷ For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. ¹⁸ For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. (1 Peter 3:13-18)

Why do bad things happen to God’s people?

The question above is one we have all pondered.  We shouldn't be ashamed of asking the question.  It is our hearts searching for God and his guidance.  In a fallen world hope seems small at times. In this section of scripture Peter is addressing struggles even for those that do good. In verse 13 it states:” But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.” Suffering for doing right?  The words contrast one another.  If we are doing the right thing, then we should expect good things.  Peter explains that this is not necessarily the case.  The scripture explains in numerous places that struggles will always exist.  It isn't something that is going to go away.  Those that bear the name of Christ will go through hard times.  What is the answer to this? Peter’s answer is: “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord”.  Our focus should always be on Christ.  The word revere in this case is stating we should sanctify Christ in our hearts.  Our hearts are to beating more and more like Christ’s and less and less like ours.

The rest of the scripture deals with what to do during the stressful times

1.  Do not fear those that threaten you."So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Is. 41:10)


2. Be ready to give an answer for the hope that is in you."As for me, I will always have hope;   I will praise you more and more.¹⁵ My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds, of your saving acts all day long— though I know not how to relate them all". – (Ps. 71:14-15)


3.  Handle the situation with gentleness and respect. "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." (Phil 4:4-6)


4. Keep your conscience clear. "So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man." (Acts 24:16)


5. Exhibit good behavior. "Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity." (Colossians 4:5)


6. Remember Christ suffered for you."And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." (1 Peter 5:10)

It is not your struggles that will speak volumes in the world.  It is how you walk through the struggles that others see.  Will you walk in a way that calms the critics?  That is what we are called to do.

This Mind - Steps to completing your 2014-2015 FAFSA

Get free information and help from a school counselor, the financial aid office at the college or career school you plan to attend, or the U.S. Department of Education at www.studentaid.ed.gov or through FAFSA live chat. Free help is available any time during the application process. You should never have to pay for help.

Collect the documents needed to apply, including income tax returns* and W-2 forms (and other records of income). A full list of what you need is at www.fafsa.gov. Tax return not completed at the time you apply? Estimate the tax information, apply, and correct information later.

Complete the 2014–2015 FAFSA SM between Jan. 1, 2014, and June 30, 2014 (no exceptions to either date!). BUT, apply as soon as possible after Jan. 1 to meet school and state aid deadlines Apply online at FAFSA on the Web SM (the faster and easier way) by going to www.fafsa.gov.

Within a few days, the U.S. Department of Education will send you your Student Aid Report (SAR)—the result of your FAFSA. Review your SAR and, if necessary, make changes or corrections and submit your SAR for reprocessing. Your complete, correct SAR will contain your Expected Family Contribution (EFC)—the number used to determine your federal student aid eligibility.

The college or career school that you plan to attend might request additional information from you. Be sure to respond by any deadlines, or you might not receive federal student aid.

All applicants: The college or career school will tell you how much aid you can get at that school. Contact the financial aid office if you have any questions about the aid being offered. First-time applicants: Review award letters from schools to compare amounts and types of aid being offered. 

Attention Kentucky residents

It is highly important that you complete your FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1^st.  The College Access Program and Kentucky Tuition Grant run out quickly. 

Best to Him

Many of us have never really fit a mold set before us in life.  We may even purposefully break the mold out of arrogance, pride and rebellion.  Ultimately though, we haven’t fit a mold because we are not supposed to.  A mold is something that is made to make an object conform to a standard.  Read what the prophet Jeremiah states:

Jeremiah 18:1-6

“This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: ² “Go down to the potter’s house, and there I will give you my message.” ³ So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel. ⁴ But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.

⁵ Then the word of the Lord came to me. ⁶ He said, “Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?” declares the Lord. “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel. 

God doesn’t work with a molding.  He is in a process of constant forming.  If God sees an imperfection he will take the clay and start again.  He isn’t looking for us to match what others think we should or shouldn’t be.  God is working on something bigger.  To make us more and more like him.  Being in his likeness means we may not fit. 

Look at what Isaiah writes about Jesus:

Isaiah 53:2

He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
    and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
    nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.

 
People were not drawn to Jesus by his appearance.  The religious leader didn’t accept Christ because he wasn’t kingly.  Jesus didn’t fit the mold others desired.  If that is true, we shouldn’t expect anything different in our lives.  So with that understanding, we must stop trying to be what others want and more what God wants.  That doesn’t mean that we won’t struggle with what God wants us to be.  We need to trust him to constantly wrap his creative hands around us until we are what is “best to him”.