"Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:3

Jesus indeed suffered at the hands of sinful men, but more than that, Jesus suffered at the hands of those he would die to save. When we consider Jesus, when we look to him for guidance regarding our reactions toward those who abuse us, we soon realize that we need to look at the big picture. Those who cause our suffering are those for whom Jesus died. Salvation was meant to reach all, especially those who hurt us. We need to have the heart of Jesus. We need a heart that would give one’s life for those who caused its suffering. Having a heart that loves like that will keep us from depression and the weariness that often accompanies it. Dear Lord, give us a heart like yours! Help us to love those who bring suffering and pain into our lives. Give us the love of Christ that we would be willing to die for them if it meant they would gain salvation by our doing so. 

Father, sometimes we grow weary and lose heart because we try to do things in our own strength. Help us to look to Jesus at those times, that His love might lift us up and give us that heavenly perspective. Help us to render good for evil through His strength. Fix our eyes on Jesus, Father, that we might become more like this savior whom we adore. Amen