Gideon said to him, "If I may ask, sir, why has all this happened to us if the LORD is with us?"
1 PETER 1:6-7 (GNT)
Be glad about this, even though it may now be necessary for you to be sad for a while because of the many kinds of trials you suffer. Their purpose is to prove that your faith is genuine. Even gold, which can be destroyed, is tested by fire; and so your faith, which is much more precious than gold, must also be tested, so that it may endure.
THE ESSENCE
The positive side of suffering is that it improves the quality of our faith.
DAILY FODDER
If suffering has benefits, why should or shouldn't we seek it out?
PRAYER
Merciful God, thank you for being present with us in our suffering and for turning the difficult moments into growth experiences. Forgive me for embracing a "Why me?" attitude when difficulties arise. Encourage me with a grander outlook. I'm hopeful because I've seen how Christ has turned his suffering into salvation for the whole world. Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
so that everything that happens here will align
with what is happening in heaven.
Our Father in Heaven,
we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
so that everything that happens here will align
with what is happening in heaven.
Give us enough food for today.
Forgive us our wrongdoing,
and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.
and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.
