Day 13: Obedience That Hurts, Endurance in the Midst of Suffering
Question: What is that step of obedience you took that may have left you feeling hopeless and questioning God?
Oftentimes, we believe that stepping out in obedience will be easy, leading to a life of peace and joy. But what if instead of peace, you’re met with chaos, and joy is replaced with moments of hopelessness? You may begin to feel as though God has abandoned you, leaving you questioning what God could possibly be teaching you amidst your suffering.
In those moments, it’s easy for our flesh to blind us from His truths and lead us to question whether taking that step of obedience was the right thing to do. Was it worth it? You may even ask why God would ask you to do this, knowing it was going to cause heartache. How could this possibly advance The Kingdom?
Bible Passage: Romans 5:2-5 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but 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.
Reflection: It’s clear that throughout scripture, obedience was met with hardship. I’m reminded of Paul in 2 Timothy 1:8-9, where Paul says he shares in suffering for the gospel. Sometimes following God is met with suffering, valleys, and hardship. But His word reminds us that suffering produces character and perseverance. It’s in our moments of hopelessness and desperation that our Good Father reaches out His hand to us and meets us there. He uses our hardships to mold us to become more like Him, stripping away our flesh and giving us strength to keep fighting the good fight of faith!
Prayer: Father God, thank you for your love, mercy, and grace. God, I thank you that even in the middle of suffering and feelings of hopelessness, you are with me. Thank you for pursuing and loving me even in my moments of doubt. Father, I ask for strength to battle my flesh, my desire to be in control. I ask for guidance, that you will help me see what it is that you’re trying to teach me in the middle of my suffering. God, I ask you for forgiveness for the times I’ve questioned your goodness. God, I pray that you will use this to mold me so that I may be more like you, for your glory and your kingdom’s cause. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Oftentimes, we believe that stepping out in obedience will be easy, leading to a life of peace and joy. But what if instead of peace, you’re met with chaos, and joy is replaced with moments of hopelessness? You may begin to feel as though God has abandoned you, leaving you questioning what God could possibly be teaching you amidst your suffering.
In those moments, it’s easy for our flesh to blind us from His truths and lead us to question whether taking that step of obedience was the right thing to do. Was it worth it? You may even ask why God would ask you to do this, knowing it was going to cause heartache. How could this possibly advance The Kingdom?
Bible Passage: Romans 5:2-5 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but 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.
Reflection: It’s clear that throughout scripture, obedience was met with hardship. I’m reminded of Paul in 2 Timothy 1:8-9, where Paul says he shares in suffering for the gospel. Sometimes following God is met with suffering, valleys, and hardship. But His word reminds us that suffering produces character and perseverance. It’s in our moments of hopelessness and desperation that our Good Father reaches out His hand to us and meets us there. He uses our hardships to mold us to become more like Him, stripping away our flesh and giving us strength to keep fighting the good fight of faith!
Prayer: Father God, thank you for your love, mercy, and grace. God, I thank you that even in the middle of suffering and feelings of hopelessness, you are with me. Thank you for pursuing and loving me even in my moments of doubt. Father, I ask for strength to battle my flesh, my desire to be in control. I ask for guidance, that you will help me see what it is that you’re trying to teach me in the middle of my suffering. God, I ask you for forgiveness for the times I’ve questioned your goodness. God, I pray that you will use this to mold me so that I may be more like you, for your glory and your kingdom’s cause. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
by: White Stone Member
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Day 1: The Joy of Conviction Day 2: Formed for WisdomDay 3: God is Our Refuge Day 4: Fighting the FleshDay 5: What is the next right thing to do?Day 6: The Spiritual Discipline of Silence Day 7: Not Fast, Just Furious Day 8: The Rosetta GroanDay 9: The Secret Place, It Starts HereDay 10: Call GodDay 11: Leave Nothing Undone Day 12: WhyDay 13: Obedience That Hurts, Endurance in the Midst of Suffering
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