Pray for the suffering

Our sufferings have a purpose. Think of a time when you or a loved one suffered. Were there any positive outcomes from it? Maybe even years later?
     An example would be my late husband suffered from colon cancer and died three years later. Initially, I asked God "Why? Why did he die?" but after spending some time praying on it, discovered the question I should have been asking was "Why did he live?" I was able to reflect on the aspects of his life that were a blessing to me and my family and on those who knew him. He touched many lives. Because he got colon cancer, so many people decided to get colonoscopies who wouldn't have before that. Many of them had pre-cancerous polyps removed and lived longer lives, with each of their lives touching many more lives.
     While he was sick, he gave encouragement to others by his attitude and perseverance. In the last few months of his life, he was drawn closer to God and spent a lot of time in prayer; something he hadn't done for decades.
     My point is, instead of focusing on the suffering itself, look at how God is using that suffering in your life and in other people's lives. We don't live our lives in a vacuum. Our actions and reactions affect numerous people each and every day.

My favorite Bible verse regarding suffering is:

More than that, 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, 

because God's love has been poured into our hearts 

through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Romans 5:3-5 ESV

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Please join me this week in praying for someone who is suffering, whether it's physically, mentally, or emotionally. Pray that they are comforted by God's love and find strength and hope through Him.
I'll post daily reminders on:
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