"Strength in Suffering"

"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.  For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:17.18)

It was 43 years ago yesterday when Stephen Paul Barnette passed from this, "seen," world to the, "unseen."  According to the Bible, the latter is the, "eternal"; the former is the, "temporary."  Look around you right now; it will all be gone some day.

I must share Bonhoeffer's devotional for today.

Strength in Suffering
Isaiah 53:4-5

"Sorrow cannot tire them or wear them down; it cannot embitter them or cause them to break under the strain; far from it, for they bear their sorrow in the strength of him who bears them up, who bore the whole suffering of the world upon the cross. (The Cost of Discipleship).

 "Sorrow and difficulty as such cannot destroy us.  But if we have no resources with which to handle difficulties, we will be overcome.  We will give way to self-pity or despair.  The greatest resource with which to respond to sorrow and difficulty is to gain strength from the Suffering Servant who bore our suffering and sin to win us redemption and freedom.  A further resource is to recognize that suffering, while being our common lot, is never without its potential for growth."

This devotional is my testimony; I pray it is yours.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You so much that You bore our griefs, sorrows, sicknesses and pains in Your Own Body on the Cross.  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2