Photo taken in Florida.

“For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,” Philippians 1:29

Heavenly Father, thank you for the promise that You will ultimately restore, conform, strengthen and establish me despite any suffering I experience here on earth (1 Peter 5:10). Thank you that through the difficulties in my life I can come to a better understanding of the ultimate suffering that Jesus went through on the cross when He died for me.

Father, give me an understanding that I live in a fallen world and that therefore some stress and suffering is to be expected. Let me see the difference between suffering for Christ and suffering because of bad choices that I make. In either kind of suffering, show me how to experience the answer found in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly will I rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

I ask that You will encourage and bless the many Christians throughout the world who are living with the daily threat of martyrdom for their faith in You.

Thank you that as I go through this life as a believer, I can look forward to having the reality found in Revelation 21:4 at the end of my life: “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.“

In Jesus’ Name I come, Amen.