Daily Devotional – 6/5/19 “Suffering saved me!”

God, thank you for my suffering. Although, I may not have understood it then, I’m thankful for it now. See, it was during the storm that you saved me! It was in the pit that I learned how to praise. I was in the valley when I realized just how great I’d look in victory. It was the pain the allowed me to press towards purpose. It took being lied on that I learned to lean not on my understanding. It was rejection that taught me to rejoice in all things! It was hurt that showed me healing. It was the fight that taught me to how to forgive. It was the mistakes that tuned me in to your message.

In other words, my suffering saved me and I almost missed it because I was too busy focusing on the pain rather the promise.

What promise? The promise God made to never leave me nor forsake me. The promise God made to answer when I ask. The promise God made to give me a future and a hope. The promise of God to fight for me, when I need it. The promise to give strength when I’m weary and increase the power of the weak. The promise to hold my hand so I don’t have to fear. The promise to be there when I pass through the waters, to not be overtaken by the rivers and not be burned by the fire. The promise that says, if I submit to Him, I can resist the enemy and he’ll flee. The promise to hear from Heaven, when I humble myself, pray and seek His face. The promise to forgive my sins when I repent. The promise that tells me I don’t have to be discouraged because God will go before me. And the promise that if God sets me free, I’m free indeed.

I don’t know who needs this encouragement today but let me assure you … although you may have to suffer, it will not always be like this. For if you hold on, if you press through, if you keep the faith, turned from your wicked ways and submit to the counsel of God; your suffering can save you too.