Challenge: No Complaints

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions.  Col 1:24 NASB

How frequently do I gripe and complain because other people do not carry their share of the workload, whether in my household, at church, or at a place of employment?  Suddenly such complaint seems quite petty.

Paul is not only rejoicing in his sufferings (which is profound enough in and of itself), he is also rejoicing that he gets extra sufferings so that other people can experience a lighter load.

I am almost imagining a huge pie chart showing the full amount of suffering allotted to believers as compared to the amount of suffering each individual believer faces.  If after all was allocated there was a wedge that remained to be doled out, would I be willing to add it to my own such that no one else had to experience it?

Okay, so that’s really far-fetched, but it does put perspective on my attitude toward suffering and even bearing burdens or working for the kingdom.  Am I going to sit and gripe about the load I have to bear or am I going to rejoice that I get to bear this amount so that someone else – maybe even for a short time – can have a lighter burden?

I am challenged to leave behind the complaints and embrace the rejoicing.