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(Romans 5:3) “We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope. And hope does not put us to shame…”
This series is about how GOD is believed to communicate with us all. This next part is through (15) PERSEVERANCE (endurance)—Perseverance is deciding to stick with GOD even (especially) when life gets real — choosing faith over quitting in the middle of pain, delay, or confusion until real growth shows up.
TESTIMONY: from yesterday ... Priorities at work took over the next day, and the manager and I didn’t speak again until much later, when she sheepishly came over to my desk and plopped my usual café latte in front of me. I looked up in surprise; my jaw dropped when she began chatting casually (she’d NEVER spoken to me before except about company matters). Here’s her story:
“By the time I got home last night, I’d pretty much forgotten about the tangerine incident. My husband asked what diabolical pleasures I’d inflicted on you [my incumbent Christian] when there was a knock at the door. Our next‑door neighbour (another born‑again nuisance) asked if she could leave some plants with us for a week while she went on holiday. Once she’d gone and we were roaring with laughter, we started plotting how to kill the plants before she returned. We were due out that evening to a friend’s party, so I ran upstairs for a bath. All I remember is slipping on the tiled floor; somehow, my body twisted in midair, and I cracked my spine on the side of the tub. I lay there on the bathroom floor, dazed and completely paralysed from the neck down. That’s how my husband found me some while later.
Realising how serious it was, he rushed downstairs to call an ambulance. When he came back up, he heard me screaming, ‘Jesus, forgive me—come and help me...!’ She stopped there. Only when someone handed her a tissue did I notice she was crying. A crowd had somehow gathered around my desk as she told her tale. “My husband will tell you that he was trying to comfort me before the ambulance arrived when we both suddenly heard a terrific ‘crack.’ The next thing I remember was standing on my two feet, feeling perfectly well again. I don’t know what Jesus did, but whatever it was left us both amazed!”
As the tears subsided and the crowd began to disperse, a senior accounts clerk rolled his chair forward and said, “Jesus... You want to know about Jesus? Then let me tell you how my damaged son and I found Him…” (Warren)
If you’re reading this and struggling with someone who hurts you, consider the power of small, obedient acts. They don’t erase the pain, but they can open the door to healing, grace, and unexpected restoration.
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Let’s pray, “Heavenly Father, You teach us that suffering produces endurance. In the midst of pain and trials, grant me patience to endure, steadfastness to grow in character, and a hopeful heart that trusts Your purposes. Strengthen me by Your Spirit so that my hardships refine, not break, my faith. Use every difficulty to draw me nearer to You and shape me into someone who reflects Your love and hope to others.” Amen!
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URGENT PRAYER REQUESTS (Please keep checking as more are being added almost daily)