*🙏The Word Daily Devotion 🙏*
(Global Evangelical Church)
*📖EXPECT SUFFERING*
👉(Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:1-10)
🗓Wednesday, September 30
📜We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted but not abandoned… *2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (NIV)*
📋Contrary to popular but poor Christian teachings, salvation does not guarantee an easy life. It is tempting to present Christianity as a safe haven where one could open the door to allow in joy and blessing, where hardship could not pass through. That kind of religion might sell well in the world marketplace, but it is not real. The truth is Christians cannot escape struggle or ridicule. The biblical principles we hold dear often seem like foolishness to unbelievers. What’s more, defending our faith and sharing the gospel will frequently draw criticism or anger from listeners. In fact, we are to welcome suffering as a way to grow in our faith. Our belief system is named after a man who so thoroughly challenged the status quo such that religious leaders called for his death. Jesus Christ was at the centre of controversy during his ministry and very likely all through life. While Jesus was fully God, he was also fully human. He knew the pain of rejection and the taste of fear, just as we do (Hebrews 4:15). As believers, we are called to be peacemakers, but that doesn’t mean isolating ourselves from all who oppose the church. Accept suffering and ridicule as inevitable and reach out. You can still have a powerful impact on the life of others simply by being the person God called you to be.
_*🛐Meditation And Prayer:*_ Lord, help me to tolerate those who disagree with my faith and even attack my faith from all angles.
_*📚Further Reading:*_ Ephesians. 6:1-12; Hebrews 12:1-4
_*🔑Key Lesson:*_ Those God loves go through trials
_*◼The Bible in one year: *_ Malachi 1-4
