“… because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” - Romans 5:3-5
“ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.” - Romans 8:28-30
Jesus,
It can feel like a foreign concept to understand that you are not far from me when I go through hard things, but all throughout your word I find that this is the truth.
Not only are you with me, but you promise that rough patches produce fruit in my life when I choose to abide in you. So, help me to abide in you as you grow the fruit of perseverance, character, and hope!
Maybe the greatest comfort of all is knowing that there’s nothing I have suffered that you haven’t also suffered. Please help me to feel your presence so that I will walk through seasons of pain without despair knowing that I am not alone.
Lord, help me to not only simply make it through these hard times, but to become more like who you intended me to be, more like you.
Help me to be still in your presence, knowing you have gone before me and you are with me now.
Lord, in the midst of every trial, help me to remember that the struggle is birthing something beautiful in me. Like the lyrics of Brother Isaiah’s Struggler say:
“Every truly good thing is born of a struggle, my child
Now I wouldn’t leave you in this heartache
If it was all for nothing
Wouldn't leave you in this struggle if I didn't see
Something being born in you so beautiful and so true
Like a statue of David chiseled-away and never fading
There's a new child rising
New life shining in your face, and your pain, and your everything
If you only knew child what I see in you child
I think you'd wanted it too, but I'm proud of you child as you struggle through
Yes, I'm proud of you child, as you struggle through, yeah”
Help me to boast in the hope of glory to which I have been called, and give me strength to cling to it, Lord.
I love you!
Amen
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.” Isaiah 43:2
