COURAGEOUSLY STRONG

I never knew my capacity to endure anguish until I suffered as a true believer. I learned to recognize the divine benefits of being fully surrendered to my suffering Savior during times of persecution, chronic neck pain, a dental crisis, systemic toxicity, and skin cancer.

Within those spaces Christ’s resurrection power was revealed in my spirit and my greatest torment became an offering to the One who bore the horror of death on a Cross for my sin. Sounds unbelievable, doesn’t it? Let me provide some context.

Before I was born again, my suffering was self-inflicted by way of alcohol, marijuana and sexual escapades. Though my misery was great, I never realized the extent of my sinfulness.

So, receiving the free gift of salvation in my thirties flipped every pain perception on its head as the reality of my depravity was revealed by the One who redeemed me. Yet I frequently raged against my anguish, even though it was God’s grace and patient love that allowed it into my world.

Instead of words of thanksgiving and praise from my lips for Christ’s redemptive work in the early years of my faith journey, I often uttered shouts of, “Why me?”, “I don’t like this!”, and “When will this torment end?” It was all about me, even though I had declared my love for and devotion to the Lord.

Now, through years of spiritual maturing and submitting my will fully to God’s will, life's difficulties have shifted my perspective toward gratitude for each trial. I know that what God allows works to strengthen my faith and increase my persevering endurance through times of affliction.

Coming to this blessed realization has brought me peace in the assurance of God’s love, mercy and faithfulness to me. I have no righteousness of my own but because I’m in Christ, his righteousness covers me and enables me to be courageously strong in the face of suffering. If you are a true believer in Christ, these gifts belong to you. May we praise God for his strength that is our strength in the midst of trouble!

Heavenly Father, I know that every challenging situation you allow into my life is worked out for my good (Romans 8:28) because you want my faith and trust in you to deepen. Thank you for opening my eyes to see the blessings in my agony. May I, always, be mindful of this when faced with suffering so that I bring glory to your name and help other believers embrace the goodness you intend in times of anguish. I pray this in Jesus’s precious and mighty name, Amen.

Throughout This Day: While pain is never enjoyable, take a moment to thank God for getting you through the difficult times in your life, for he is doing a mighty work to mature your faith and make you courageously strong.