Immediately after rebuking Peter for telling him he did not have to suffer, Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, but loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mathew 16:23-26).
If we focus on the negative things of this world we can become depressed. Our hearts can turn toward fear, envy, bitterness or anger. These are emotions that indicate our treasures are on earth.
If we focus on God’s love for us, his power to accomplish marvelous things through our life, even in our suffering, our hearts can be filled with joy and peace in believing. The writer of Hebrews admonishes us, “Look unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2).
Because we know that God is working in us his eternal purposes, we can enjoy the life he has given us without fear, envy, bitterness or anger.
