LADY WANDA'S ENCOURAGEMENT
AFTER THE SUFFERING
SCRIPTURE: Romans 5:3-4 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.
We all know what it feels like to suffer. Actually, this virus has brought on all sorts of suffering. For some, it has brought on fatality. Some people have lost their loved ones or their jobs. Some people’s love language is affection. For those, not being able to hug and touch others is like suffering. This virus seems to have taken so much.
Here is the good news. The bible says that suffering produces perseverance. There is so much to look forward to. Once we persevere, our character will be increased. We have already become kinder and more neighborly toward our communities. Our character will continue to build, and we will become better, more godly people. People are praying and seeking God now more than ever before. Then, there is hope. God will continue to show glimpses of hope as we suffer to keep us holding on to His unchanging hand.
So many people say, “I can’t wait until things go back to the way they used to be." We should stop saying that because God doesn’t go back. In fact, His word tells us in Isaiah 43:18-19 that “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” God is moving forward and doing a new thing. The future will be new and better. So, let’s not look back! Let’s look ahead to the new thing that God will spring up. Let our hope that is in Christ Jesus be so apparent to God that He will allow us to be a part of His new thing.
How do we do that? How do we put our hope in Jesus? We use this time to build our relationship with Him and spend time reading His word so that we will gain greater understanding, knowledge and wisdom from Him. By doing this, our very lifestyles will change, and we will be speaking and acting very differently. We will want everything we do and say to please God. Our future will be very different from our past. We won’t think on the things of the past, we will continue to look to our future, allowing God to guide our footsteps.
Let’s Pray
Lord, thank You for Your love for us. We appreciate Your plans for our future. Please continue to consider us in Your future plans and we will continue to give You all of the glory because You are worthy. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!