Monday's Verse of the Day » Hebrews 12:2

As we begin this next season of our publishing journey and are short on content, we will be sharing Verse of the Day devotions until we have enough article submissions to fill our editorial calendar. We hope you enjoy them! ~ Janel the CWP Editor-in-Chief

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

— Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV

The cross doesn't teach us to pretend suffering without a purpose is beautiful.

Jesus suffered. He was betrayed. Misunderstood. Abandoned. And still, suffering didn't get the final word.

This matters because sometimes people are told to "pick up their cross" or "be the bigger person" when they are actually carrying someone else's cruelty, control, or abuse. Those are not the same things. The Cross is never permission for harm.

Today, hope may look like remembering. You might have endured difficult experiences and they may be part of your story, but they aren't the end.

Ὧ