“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor], Who has called you to His [own] eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you.” 1 Peter 5:10  (AMP)

Don’t give up on yourself.

Don’t you dare throw in the towel when you are challenged and feeling insecure. You are well ABLE to accomplish what you set out to do today! Be firm and dig deeper. There is a gold mine on the inside of you. If you never value who you are and what you have, no one else will.

Keep pushing yourself to be your best. God has already deposited in you everything you need  and the ability to do it with a good attitude. Keep it moving! You will get there if you do not faint.

Jesus, let your strength be our strength when live becomes overwhelming. We need the courage, boldness, the stability You possess to keep moving forward. Thank you for loving us with an everlasting love. Thank you for seeing the best in us when we fail to see our own potential. It is only by Your grace that we can continue moving forward. Refresh us now, refill us now. In Jesus name, Amen.

Grace and Peace,

By Mary Pinckney
used by permission

FURTHER READING:

Never Give Up –  by John Grant

Pruning –  by Laura Rath

Look Again – by Mary Pinckney

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“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 15:5

In music, harmony adds dimension and fullness to the melody. Its different parts work together to enhance the song, adding flavor and depth.

The same is true of the family of God. Individuals don’t do and say the same thing, but all of them work together, each using their unique gifts and abilities to bring depth and dimension to the ONE purpose.

And there’s the rub. Working together brings friction, conflict, and tension.

We all are familiar with this chafing, but often we fail to see the beauty that comes from the abrasiveness. It is in the friction where beauty is born.

Working together with other people who are broken and imperfect like us is God’s beautiful design.

We are like rocks in a stream: bouncing, rubbing, and polishing off each others rough edges.

So, let’s welcome the tension, open the door to conflict, and allow it to refine and perfect us.

If you find yourself in conflict with another follower of Jesus, don’t be surprised. Remember, we’re all still in the process of being perfected. Peter tells us, “And you are living stones that God is building into His spiritual temple.…” 1 Peter 2:5 (NLT)

Know this: God wants to use this friction in your life to polish you into a beautiful living stone for all the world to see!

Heavenly Father, I know You designed family. It’s part of Your plan, but I confess there are times when I don’t like the pain that comes with it! I want to run and hide. I want to escape the hurt, throw it to the winds and be done with it. But teach me to STAY, to embrace the pain and see the beauty. Amen.

By Kristi Huseby
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

• Wisdom for Life’s Trials – by Charles Stanley

• Trials and Triumphs Together –  by Christa Hardin

• Faith Through Trial – by Charles Spurgeon

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“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.” Hebrews 12:1-2

Experiencing hardship is never easy. In fact, it can be downright agonizing, exhausting, and depressing.

There have been moments in my life where I have instantly sensed God’s awesome presence with me during a difficult circumstance. But there have been even more instances when it seemed as though God was nowhere to be found.

While Jesus was in the garden of Gethsemane awaiting His fate, His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground as He prayed. He knew that what He was about to endure was going to be excruciatingly difficult (Luke 22:44). He didn’t even hesitate to ask God if He could be spared from the suffering.

Jesus felt utterly alone. Even His friends had fallen asleep during the most crucial moment in his life.

No one enjoys going through trials, especially feeling alone in them. But in these moments, God asks us to trust Him.

Not only did Jesus ask if His cup of suffering could pass, but He prayed for strength and embraced the will of His heavenly Father who gave Him the power to endure. As Hebrews 12:2 says, He endured the cross for the joy set before Him.

Hard times will pass. But with patience, prayer, and a heart full of hope and trust, we can live through them, knowing God can give us a deep joy that will outlast any pain and sorrow.

Thank You, heavenly Father, for the gift of Your Holy Spirit to comfort me during this difficult time in my life. I ask for Your strength to empower me, and for hope to fill my heart. May I walk through this situation trusting You and believing that You have something good in store for me and those around me. I open my heart to Your will and Your way in my life. Amen.

By Brigitte Straub
Used by permission

Further Reading

•  How to be Filled with the Holy Spirit

•  How to Fall in Love with Jesus by Sylvia Gunter

•  Salvation Explained

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As hard as it seems keep believing!

“So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.” Hebrews 10:35-36 (NLT)

God is not slack concerning His promises to you. He has not forgotten about you. The very same words I have used to encourage myself time and time again, I use today to encourage you. It is not easy trusting a God that you don’t see. It is not always easy trusting that He is concerned about what concerns you. But the truth of the matter is, we serve a God that will never renege on His promises.

Paul tells us in our scripture reference not to throw away our confident trust in the Lord. Confident trust is the belief that something will happen based on God’s character. Again, He does not falter on His promises. Our reliance then should be on His ability to bring what He promises to pass.

So right now, in this very moment, as hard as it seems to keep believing, I urge you not to throw away your fearless confidence. Instead, embrace the patient endurance that helps us to bear up under difficult circumstances without compromising. It is this endurance that prompts us not to give up when we are weary. We will reap the harvest that has been promised to us if we just hang in there. I challenge you today to stick it out and stick with God’s plan. Stay consistent, keep trusting, keep believing, and keep fighting until you see the promised completion.

Lord, I have failed you time and time again in this area. Help me today to continue along the path that you have laid out for me. Help me to stay true to my assignment even when my feelings get the best of me. Help me to keep the right heart attitude as I wait on you to bring your promises to fulfillment. Most of all, help me to continue trusting your heart towards me. In Jesus, name, Amen.

By Mary Pinckney
Used by Permission

Further Reading

•   Struggles, Despair

•  Understanding the Holy Spirit

•  Salvation Explained

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“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NKJV)

Never give in! The testing of your faith is more precious than gold…Now is the time to fight the good fight of faith.

Never give in! You are not alone in your trials and temptations…He is with you and will make a way of escape.

Never give in! Someone is praying…Jesus is before the Mercy Seat making intercession on your behalf.

Never give in! Heaven’s resources are yours…He will make all grace abound toward you.

Never give in! You can live beyond yourself…God’s strength is made perfect in weakness.

Never give in! The power of God is almighty…Greater is He that is within you than he that is in the world.

Never give in! The hard times will not last forever…Nothing can compare to what God has prepared for you.

By Roy Lessin
Used by Permission

Further Reading

•  Stepping Into a Personal Revival
•   Why I need to Press the ‘Reset Button’ – confessing sin is like a reset button in our relationship with God
•  Salvation Explained

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Endure is a word I have thought about lately.

I have been thinking about it since before the new year even started. It is the word that describes a life of faith and puts the focus on our choice to persevere one day at a time and year after year. To endure is where our faith comes fully alive.

Yes, I pray that  our faith will endure and that our walk will endure. I pray that we will run this race well and that we will diligently persevere and stay the course. Stumbling and getting back up, falling but standing strong again.

Endure through loss,

Endure through disappointment.

Endure through uncertainty,

Tried and tested but proven.

Endure in our Bible reading and in our prayer life.

Endure in having a more giving heart and being intentional with our time.

Endure in our relationships with people and being attentive to all around us.

I pray with utmost sincerity that we will endure in trusting the Lord with all our heart. This will make all the difference between coasting and living out a faith that is fully alive.

Hebrews 12:1-2 “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

By Kathy Cheek
Used by Permission
Devotions from the Heart at www.kathycheek.com

FURTHER READING

•  The Everlasting God
•  The Power of Resurrection
•  The Word of God and the Power of God

Learn more about knowing Jesus at: https://thoughtsaboutgod.com/four-laws/

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Listen to God’s Word for you in Romans 15:4.

“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”

One of the assignments against the people of God is to oppress them by wearing them down (Daniel 7:25). You may have experienced debilitating discouragement. You may feel assaulted and assailed from every side. In the name of the Ancient of Days, you can resist this oppression. Hear God’s words in 2 Chronicles 20:15 and 17. “This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.'”

You can be afraid and discouraged because of the vast army against you, or you can be confident and encouraged because God is with you. He is your hope and your victory in the battle. In His great heart He has a plan for your welfare, to give you a future and a hope. You are anointed with grace to stand with hope, encouragement, and positive assurance of seeing His goodness at work in your life. Run to the joy of the Lord that is your strength. Be blessed with endurance and encouragement as you stand in the One who fights your battles for you.

Look to your Father in heaven in devotion and trust. He is with you when you are discouraged and not at peace. His presence never leaves nor forsakes you. The name of the Lord is a strong tower to which you can run and are safe (Proverbs 18:10). Hide there in Him from the devourer and the accuser. Hide in Him from heaviness and discouragement. He wants to cover your weariness with His blanket of strength.

You have celebrated His intervention in your life many times and many ways. Be blessed to remember how He has shown Himself strong to you. He gives endurance and encouragement. He will continue to reveal Himself to you.

Jesus rebuked winds and waves, saying, “Peace be still.” You are blessed by the One who stills the storms (Mark 4:39). Another time, Jesus commanded Peter, “Come to me.” Peter stepped out of the boat onto the wind-driven waters, but when he took his eyes off Jesus and looked at the waves, he sank. Whether Jesus stills the storm or invites you to come to Him on it, you will be steadfast, immovable in Him, unless you look at the tempest. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. He will come alongside, lift you up, strengthen, and refine you to bring about His sure purposes. You can stand in the rule and dominion of the Prince of peace. Be blessed in His great faithfulness to you that is new every morning.

Be blessed in the name of the One who bids you come to Him (Matthew 14:29).

By Sylvia Gunter
Used by Permission
Based on You Are Blessed In The Name Of God,

FURTHER READING

• Eternal Love
• Fully Surrender to the Lord

Learn more about knowing Jesus at: https://thoughtsaboutgod.com/four-laws/

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“We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Romans 5:3-5 (ESV)

I was 22-years-old and I was living a nightmare. I was in the middle of a divorce, a custody battle, and my life as I knew it was coming to an end. No more white picket fence and the 2.5 kids (or so I thought). I was suffering, and every day felt like a battle that couldn’t be won.

What I couldn’t see then, and what I do see now, is that in those moments of absolute distress, I was beginning to learn and grow as a godly man. It would take another 15 years before I would surrender my life to Him. However, the foundation of Christ was set during those times of my divorce.

God was shaping me and He was molding me. I was a rebel and He was using afflictions of this life to bring me closer to Him. My suffering was producing endurance, and as Paul writes, from endurance comes character and hope.

What a gift this is from our Lord! He knows our nature and yet He still adores us. He sees our rebellion and yet His faithfulness knows no boundaries. He allows times of suffering, as a loving Father, in so that we may find our way into His loving arms.

Father. We cry out to You in our times of suffering and afflictions. We say heal and we say change. Lord, we only want what is in Your will. Let us see the gift that You give us in our times of suffering. Open our hearts to turn back to You, Lord. In Jesus name, AMEN!

By Rev. Daniel Forster

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The post The Gift of Suffering appeared first on Thoughts About God.