Joy in the midst of challenges

Hebrews 10:32-34 (New Living Translation)

32 Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ.[a] Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering. 33 Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things. 34 You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever.

The early christians suffered a lot because they were considered outcasts. They were thrown into dungeons, they were thrown into arenas where they were fed to lions, skinned and/or burned alive. They suffered deeply, horribly.

But in the midst of these suffering, they still kept their faith strong. They did not waver in their belief that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Messiah, the One who was sent by God the Father to redeem us.

I remember the time when I was new in the walk, 9 years ago. I knew back then that I still have doubts about my faith.

Then I saw a christian brother suffer. He went through such hardships that he is not able to sleep properly for weeks. He went to the doctor for check ups and he was given strong medicine to make him go to sleep at night.

But during those times of suffering, his faith never waned. You can still feel and see the joy in his heart because he knows that the situation he was in was only temporary. He held on to his faith that the Lord our God will deliver him to a place where there is peace and plenty.

His situation lasted for several years. But his faith stayed intact.

That was the time that I told myself that I want to be in the place he is in. That even in the midst of suffering I will still be filled with joy and contentment knowing that a better place out ther is waiting for me.

Dear God, I pray that you give me the courage to face all the challenges that life will bring. I pray that you will give me protection so that I can weather all the hardships that I will encounter. But most of all, I pray that you will give a strong faith to which I can hold on to in times when nothing seems to work at all. You are a faithful and a loving God who will deliver all those who believe in you and put their trust in you to a place of peace and plenty where I will enjoy my days forever with my brothers in faith.

Thank you dear God. In the mighty name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Amen!