I’M RELEASING WORRY WHEN I’M SUFFERING

This week, I am exploring what God says about SUFFERING.  As I enter prayer now, I reflect on God’s instruction from 2 Timothy 1:8, “Join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.” 

Lord, teach me today about suffering.   

I desire to be receptive to the grace You give me,  

so my heart can be full of Your Holy Spirit. 

Let me consider the Word of God from 1 Peter 5:8-9: 

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 

And also from Psalm 55:9-11: 

Lord, confuse the wicked, confound their words, for I see violence and strife in the city.  Day and night they prowl about on its walls; malice and abuse are within it.  Destructive forces are at work in the city; threats and lies never leave its streets. 

These are a few behaviors the Lord wants me to learn to achieve in my life: 

• Be alert and sober minded.  The devil is always on the prowl, looking for someone to devour.  His desire is to kill, steal, and destroy my life (John 10:10).  If I want to avoid the devil, I must stay alert and keep my mind clear; then I will recognize unclean thoughts entering my mind. 

• Resist the devil by standing firm in the faith.  I must recognize that many people all over the world are undergoing the same kind of suffering as I am.  Along with alertness, I can also resist the devil by pouring into my mind all the good things God desires.  Prayer, rejoicing, confessing sin, and reading the Word of God please Him and help me stand firm in the faith. 

Lord, thank You for leading me to pray and  

respond with Your Word.   

When I stay focused on what the Lord wants me to do, even during oppression, the wicked are confused.  When their destructive forces surround me, the wicked expect me to respond by cowering before them.  When I do not respond in the way they expect, it confuses them.  The Lord calls me to live differently.  Even during suffering, I am called to stand firm in the faith.  Instead of responding negatively to people, I should ask, “What does God say about that?  How does He want me to respond?” 

Lord, help me to stand firm and resist the temptation to respond without grace.  By responding in grace, the wicked are confused, and I am blessed.  Thank You, Lord, for blessing me!  

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.