BETRAYAL, FALSE ACCUSATIONS, REJECTION, ABUSE, HUMILIATION
Hebrews 12:2 Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. …. The Message
Luke 23:39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” New International Version
Luke 23:40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? New International Version
Luke 23:41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” New International Version
Luke 23:42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. New International Version
Luke 23:43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” New International Version
WHEN WE FOCUS ON OTHERS WE MINIMIZE OUR STRUGGLES
FOCUSING ON OTHERS DISTRACTS US FROM OUR STRUGGLES
FOCUSING ON OTHERS BRINGS PERSPECTIVE TO OUR STRUGGLES
FOCUSING ON OTHERS BRINGS RELIEF TO OUR STRUGGLES
Isaiah 58:10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, … New International Version
Isaiah 58:10 …then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. New International Version
Isaiah 58:11 The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. New International Version
YOUR MISHAPS BECOME YOUR MINISTRY
2 Corinthians 1:3 All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! The Message
2 Corinthians 1:4 He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. The Message
OUR STORY BRINGS OTHERS SALVATION
Revelation 12:11 They defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony; for they did not love their lives but laid them down for him. The Living Bible
Testimony: Greek - evidence given (judicial or personal), a record, report, testimony, witness.