Loving God, like most people I know, I have faced and do face struggles in my life. Adversity seems to be a constant companion that I cannot seem to shake. As a Christian, I expect some trouble due to the world I live in and the evil that is all around me. My hope is that my relationship with You will produce a peace and strength that will allow me to overcome them. In spite of the inevitable struggles I face, I know that I am not alone. As a human, You understand what I go through and I’m confident that Your compassion will compel You to stay with me as I weather my storms. I can never lose sight of the fact You have won the ultimate victory and I can lay claim to it in my times of struggle. I believe that the difficulties I experience help me grow in faith and patient perseverance. You use life’s difficulties and Satan’s attacks to build my character and hope. And my hope in You has never let me down.
I remember Your promise that there is no trouble or hardship or trying circumstance that I will face that can separate me from Your love. In all these things, You’ve given me the power to overcome by the strength and perseverance You provide for my life. Your words of commitment and love profess Your steadfast belief in me. No matter what happens to me … no matter what trials I endure … no matter how hard my faith is tried … I know You will faithfully stand by me and help me succeed. My suffering will not drive me from You and, instead, draw me closer to You and allow You to show Yourself real in my life. Your death alone is proof enough of Your enduring love for me. Your promise to love me unconditionally gives me the assurance that I am totally secure in trusting You. As a result of Your love, I am joyful in all things, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer and I strive to meet the needs of the poor.
I am thankful for the times You have flooded my life with compassion and comfort in my times of trouble. Your request of me is that I will share that comfort with others who are also facing difficult times. In the same way that You encountered suffering as a human on earth, suffering flows into my life too. The tenderness You have shown to me, has produced a patient endurance and hope which sustains me. Many think that when You promise to comfort it means that their troubles will simply disappear. I have found that to not always be so. In my struggles, You provide the strength to persevere, encouragement to keep me focused and hope to see a successful resolution. I have always felt that the more I suffered, the more comfort You supplied. I must never forget that every trial I endure helps me become more willing to comfort others. And it’s in Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN!!
Revelations 2:7 To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the garden of God.