God told us from the beginning that following Jesus would be hard.
This is the kind of life you’ve been invited into, the kind of life Christ lived. He suffered everything that came his way so you would know that it could be done, and also know how to do it, step-by-step. He never did one thing wrong, Not once said anything amiss. They called him every name in the book and he said nothing back. He suffered in silence, content to let God set things right. He used his servant body to carry our sins to the Cross so we could be rid of sin, free to live the right way. His wounds became your healing. You were lost sheep with no idea who you were or where you were going. Now you’re named and kept for good by the Shepherd of your souls.
1 Peter 2:21-25 (MSG)
Living for Christ means dying to self.
It means taking up my cross, and following Him.
It means choosing the more difficult path. The one that’s not popular or easy. It’s a hard road, one that few will choose, but it leads to life. It leads to God.