I often believe that if life is tough, then God must not be blessing me…  So I must be doing something wrong, right?

Many of us struggle with difficulty in our job or family or health and assume we are no longer #blessed, and that it must be our fault. What have we done to deserve this?

First, there are things that we pay what’s called the “dumb tax”.  You put your hand on a hot stove, and you feel the pain.  Do it again, and you didn’t learn from the “dumb tax” you already paid. 

Second, there is wisdom we can all benefit from.  Studying the book of Proverbs, the teachings of Jesus and the writings of Paul give us so much wisdom about money, relationships, and faith.  Follow these and you avoid a lot of difficulty. 

But, the one thing we often miss is that just because life is tough, it doesn’t always mean we aren’t wise or we aren’t spiritual enough or that we’ve done something wrong. Sometimes it’s BECAUSE we’ve chosen the right path or the wise way. 

Jesus said this to his disciples:

‘But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”’ John 16:32-33

The apostles all died for their faith, missionaries often struggle for their work, and certainly Jesus had a tough road… his led to death on a cross. 

Make a decision that honors God, be open about your faith, choose to forgive and not get even… Yep, it will cost you.  But we are never more #blessed than when we suffer for following Jesus.