“For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.” Phillipians 1:29

God; our Lord, the Lord God Almighty; the Creator of the universe believes in you so much that he has allowed you to share in His sufferings. I completely understand how difficult that is to grasp in the middle of our suffering but it is not until we come through the suffering that we look back and see the beauty of it all.

After being given eyes to see, Paul faced much affliction and years of suffering. In his letter to the Phillipians, Paul writes to them regarding such saying, “But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel.” Phillipians 1:12

Being overcome by God’s love and gratitude is the closest we may ever be to Him while living in this age, but it is not until our heart is right that we can pass the test of knowing our suffering means nothing if remain spiritually blind. Is there something He is trying to teach you in the suffering? Pray with me:

Heavenly Father,

I exalt You, and I praise You; for You alone are worthy. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the Creator of all that is visible and invisible, You are my God and I am Your child, please hear my prayer Abba. Your word tells me that You know my works and that You have set before me an open door that no man can shut, for although I have little strength, I keep Your word and I do not deny Your name. Father, in the name of Jesus I rebuke, renounce, and reject self centeredness and spiritual blindness and I ask You to fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Help me to persevere in my trials, in my suffering, and give me eyes to see Your will. I know that You are working all things out together for my good because I love You and am called according to Your purpose and I hold fast to You, help me to overcome and replace my thoughts with Your thoughts. Lord, give me ears to hear only You, I hear Your voice and I obey. Please Father, hear my prayer. In the mighty and powerful name of Jesus I pray; Amen

Proclaim Phillipians 1:9-11: And this I pray that my love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that I may approve the things that are excellent, that I may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Blessings: May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord shine His face upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace. May His everlasting love overcome you.

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