The Honor of Suffering For Him

"For through Christ you have been granted not only to believe in Christ but also to suffer for Him." - Phillipians 1:29

Ever since I was little, I used to hear about the martyrs, people that suffered or died for Jesus and I used to feel a little bit of… I guess the word is disappointment that I would never have the chance to suffer in His Name since Christians aren't persecuted anymore. I didn't want to go through any pain, of course, I just wanted to feel worthy of Him. It's now as I'm standing firmer in faith that I see that we all have an opportunity to suffer for Him. I've written to you before about facing trials when we follow God because the devil always wants to take away the joy we have. He wants to rob us of our faith when he sees us growing closer to God. Lately, the enemy has been trying to hurt me in the areas of my life that cause me the most pain. I'm not one to ask God "why" anymore, but when asking Him for strength, I understood that the reason for all the sadness in my life right now is because I am holding on to God and I'm speaking to you about Him everyday, so the devil wants to knock me down, get me depressed so that I have no happiness and no energy to serve the Lord. But then I remembered this verse, not only has Jesus granted that I believe in Him but I also have the honor of suffering for Him because I know that none of what I'm going through would be happening if I wasn't so close to God and if these emails weren't making some kind of impact in your life. Therefore, honestly, I'm honored to go through what I'm going through now because I know I'm doing something right if the enemy is trying to knock me down, and I won't give into the depression that wants to kick in because My God Almighty, My Savior, and My Protector is bigger than anything that can be thrown at me and He loves me and will deliver me from my distress at His perfect time.

Today's Prayer:
Thank You God because although I'm being attacked from all sides, You are there for me to protect me, give me hope, and see me through all my sorrows. I trust in You Lord. In Your hands I put my life. In Your Name we pray, Amen.