Suffering is good

The Easter holiday gave me an opportunity to think about the legacy of the man whose death and resurrection will be remembered forever. He was the son of the Creator of heaven and earth, the King of kings and the Lord of all. Yet He abandoned those comforts and lived an ordinary life; first helping  his father in the carpentry business, before joining Christian ministry in which He preached the gospel and performed fantastic miracles, culminating in his persecution on the cross and eventual resurrection after three cold days in the grave.

When the going gets tough the tough get going

It's an amazing story that inspires me a lot because of how it practically hammers home the point that lasting gain comes after much pain. There's no historical figure, no one whose legacy has endured who didn't go through a lot of pain. From the common names like Mandela, Gandhi, Mother Teresa, no one worth celebrating had it the easy way. In karate to be a master comes with overcoming a series of huddles and defeating the best before you can enjoy clout as a master. My favourite boxer, Muhammed Ali said he hated the rigors of training but maintained the discipline knowing the good life he would later live as a world champion. 

Apostle Paul who wrote much of the New Testament advised Romans to quit grumbling when they are hemmed in with trials, and rejoice instead because suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope which does not fail. This guy knew what he was talking about. Often he was imprisoned, flogged with the Jews' 39 lashes, and beaten with Roman rods. Once he was stoned and left for dead, he was shipwrecked; was always in danger from rivers, robbers and enemies of the gospel. He suffered hunger, thirst, cold, and sleepless nights as he toiled for the cause of the gospel. But he didn't give up and just like his master, Jesus. 

In the end we too will triumph if  we don't let hardships stop us from chasing our dreams.