You're Not in the Driver's Seat

As I am reading Scripture, I see everything through two lenses: personal and communal.

Jesus, after naming Peter "the rock" and then calling him Satan, challenges the disciples, "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?"

In my family systems reading right now, I'm exploring two concepts: triangulation and threshold for pain. Proper, direct communication channels are crucial. And certain people can embrace a lot of suffering in themselves, but not in others...or vice versa. What would happen if we yoked together and built up our endurance? We would have character individually and as a body. God would continue to use us in mighty ways.