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Maybe..."Fezzik, You Did Something Right"


 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And,
“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”
So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. (I Peter 4:12-19)

            We're back to suffering. Do you think perhaps God wants us to understand something? Don't be surprised at suffering? Don't think it's something strange? Rejoice? Insults are a blessing? Don't be ashamed? Praise God? 
            God has blessed me in that I have been given the opportunity to endure very small sufferings. Most people would look at what I face and say, "You call that suffering?" I'm not making any claims about being some sort of spiritual warrior. I'm a terrible wimp. However, sometimes in small you can come to understand big in ways you can't when you're facing big. 
            The first thing is that I find myself "hosting" people that other people avoid. Other people see them coming and find some reason to get as far away as possible. I don't really want to listen to their stories of chronic illness or their soap opera lives either, but I seem to stay and listen. I hope it does them some good. The second thing is that I find myself "hosting" people in debates, too. People start making accusations and calling names and I keep trying to explain. Yes, of course I know that I probably should be more assertive and set clear limits and all that, but the thing that comes to mind as I read today's passage is that when we "suffer" that can be a sign that we're doing something right. Loving someone who is easy to love doesn't take much love. Loving someone who is difficult to love takes more. Being ridiculed and accused - when innocent of the charges - because you've taken a Christian stand and won't back down. That's what we're supposed to do.
        I am not suggesting that anyone go looking for opportunities do "suffer for Christ" in order to win points with God or man. But  when everyone else seems to walk away and you keep doing what you believe is loving, noble, right, just, true, obedient,... Christian, you should prayerfully consider if the use or abuse you're enduring is because you're doing Christianity right. (You should also pray for guidance to do Christianity better.)
        I'm reminded of a scene at the end of Princess Bride, in which Montoya says, "Fezzik, you did something right!" I love Fezzik;s response: "Don't worry, I won't let it go to my head.: That's always a key to right living.





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