Daily Devotional
Experiencing Growth Through Suffering
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
July 26, 2024
Ponder This
Don’t get the idea that the Christian life is all sunlight and roses without any heartaches. There is tribulation, and Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation.” If you’re going through deep sorrow, trouble, pain, anguish, and disappointment, that doesn’t mean something has gone wrong; it means that the Word of God is true. So, when you face temptation from the enemy, what should you do? You should pray and praise God.
I was looking this morning at Psalm 4:1. The psalmist said, “Thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress” (KJV). When have you grown the most—when you had no problems or when stress came? More often than not, we grow when problems have come and we have learned to endure. Not only does enjoyment come, but enlargement comes. Maturity comes. Your physical body is under stress when you’re lifting weights, but then your muscles begin to grow. If we want to be mature Christians, we need to understand the place endurance and hardship have in our faith. These are the places where we grow.
- When have you experienced growth by enduring a difficult time?
- What does it look like to praise God in a difficult time? Who has been an example of such an attitude in your life?
Practice This
Encourage someone you know who is facing difficulty right now.
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
