Sometimes we suffer because someone else sinned against us. Sometimes hardship comes through persecution, sickness, loss, or simply living in a fallen world. We should never assume we know why another person is suffering or carelessly accuse them of causing it.
But there is a question we should be willing to ask about our own suffering:
Could my response be making it worse?
We may have been genuinely wronged, yet respond with bitterness, sinful anger, revenge, withdrawal, substance abuse, sexual sin, or other destructive choices. The original hurt may not have been our fault, but our responses can add another layer of pain.
Today we’ll look at three heart-probing questions that can help us identify whether sin is complicating our suffering. We’ll also consider the important ministry God has given older believers and ask what truly makes someone a child of God.
During His earthly ministry, people rarely remained neutral around Him. Some believed immediately. Others resisted. Some were curious but hesitant. Others were confused, skeptical, or openly hostile.
Not much has changed.
People still react to Jesus in very different ways today. Some dismiss Him with objections. Some oppose Him outright. Others are interested but remain uncertain. Some prefer religion without true surrender. And others become fully convinced and follow Him faithfully.
But perhaps the more important question isn’t how other people respond.
It’s: How do we respond?
Because even as believers we can drift into some of these attitudes. We can trust Christ for salvation while resisting Him in areas of obedience. We can become confused when life doesn’t unfold according to our expectations. We can say we believe Him while quietly refusing to trust Him completely.
In today’s reading from John 7, we see several reactions to Jesus and His claims. And perhaps, if we’re honest, we may see ourselves somewhere in the crowd.
Today’s readings invite us to examine not only what we say about Christ—but whether our lives reveal genuine trust in Him.
