How many of us have been through trials, tribulations and tests? We all can raise our hands and hang our heads because it does not pass anyone by.

How many of us have gone through turmoil, grief, despair, and hurts that have come through another's hands or words? Yes, go on, raise your hands. 

No matter how many times we go through it, it hurts. It really hurts. 

I want to give you hope, a revelation.

What does this mean exactly?

To be more like Christ, you have to go through things that Christ went through. To be more like Christ, you will have to be shamed, accused, beaten, spit on, slandered and ultimately you will have to be crucified. 

But there is hope, you will come out a better person. You will know what it truly means to "love your enemies". Who were the ones to hang Jesus onto the cross? His enemies? Yes, but also people who knew Him and cared for Him; His friends, church goers and family.

But Jesus still loved those people. ALL THOSE PEOPLE!! He loved the ones who would listen and follow, He loved the ones who walked away shaking their heads in disbelief. He loved the ones who rejoiced and accepted healing, He loved the ones who slandered Him by saying He was full of demons. He loved the ones who gently embraced Him, He loved the ones who scourged His back with a whip!

Jesus knew what it was like to be loved and hated. He knew what it was like to be listened to and rejected. He knew what it was like to have friends and followers, but He also knew what it was like to have people not believe what He had to say. But He was still so full of love that He humbly went to the cross to bleed every drop of blood for all of them, us and the ones yet to come. 

 Who are we to withhold love, grace and mercy from others? Who are we to expect to never have to experience heartache at the hands of loved ones, friends, church goers? It happened to Jesus, it WILL happen to us.  But how will you handle it?

Will you get angry? Will you lash out and speak hateful words about those people? Will you gather an army of followers to take your side? Or will you "hold your peace" and rest in the presence of your Lord allowing Him to take the brunt of the blows?

To be crucified with Christ means to allow Him to carry the burdens for you WHILE experiencing the pain from the nails in your hands, the piercing blow to your side and the words being hurled your way. It will be hard to do, but to become more like Him, we have to suffer right along side Him.

I do not know who I am writing this for, but I felt in my spirit to share this!! If not for you, it is definitely for me!! 

I hope this blesses you as much as it has blessed me.

Remember: