I want to finish this month's journal by writing a little more about suffering...
...and the spiritual fruit it brings into our lives as Christians. And I must of course speak only of my own experiences. Through my hardships I am continually learning to walk by faith and not by sight. By 'sight' meaning not only what the eye can see, but actually, by my five senses.
I believe that it is a privilege to suffer for, Christ. The world hates me and despises my testimony. This testimony, the story of what the Lord Jesus did for me, has already brought hope, strength and encouragement to many people. The devil is a sore loser, and he cannot tolerate the fact that one of his most effective servants of destruction – which is exactly what I was – has through Jesus Christ, walked away from him and escaped his clutches. So I guess I catch the heat from both sides. There are those who hate me because of my crimes. Then there are those who hate my profession of faith in God.
Still, whatever tribulations that I must go through these days, I am learning to echo what the apostle Paul said. I am to "glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulation works patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope" (Romans 5:3-4).
I am convinced that God is working to accomplish something good in my life. He wants to bring forth in me the character of Christ in all His patience, mercy and love. He is doing the same inside of every Christian. And while I do not like pain, hardship or difficulty, I am learning to see these things as being beneficial to my growth.
D.B.
I believe that it is a privilege to suffer for, Christ. The world hates me and despises my testimony. This testimony, the story of what the Lord Jesus did for me, has already brought hope, strength and encouragement to many people. The devil is a sore loser, and he cannot tolerate the fact that one of his most effective servants of destruction – which is exactly what I was – has through Jesus Christ, walked away from him and escaped his clutches. So I guess I catch the heat from both sides. There are those who hate me because of my crimes. Then there are those who hate my profession of faith in God.
Still, whatever tribulations that I must go through these days, I am learning to echo what the apostle Paul said. I am to "glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulation works patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope" (Romans 5:3-4).
I am convinced that God is working to accomplish something good in my life. He wants to bring forth in me the character of Christ in all His patience, mercy and love. He is doing the same inside of every Christian. And while I do not like pain, hardship or difficulty, I am learning to see these things as being beneficial to my growth.
D.B.