BE JOYFUL ABOUT WHAT?

 

 

Romans 5:3

 

". . . but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance." ESV 

 

It is so easy to be joyful when we are blessed with good things. But, it is another story to rejoice when we are suffering. If we will allow ourselves to rejoice during times of suffering, we will gain spiritual strength and stamina.

 

Lord, help us to rejoice in our suffering and remind us that doing so will bring us greater spiritual power and strength. In Your great name we pray, Amen.

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

http://insidetheshrink-dailygrace.blogspot.com/

 

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WHAT KIND OF SUFFERING MAKES US REJOICE

 

1 Peter 4:16

 

"Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name." ESV 

 

Suffering is a human reality that no one escapes in this life. Most of the time we suffer because we've done something we shouldn't have done or we get caught in the crossfire of natural consequences. But how often has any of us suffered because we are Christians? If we suffer for that, we can rejoice and praise Him. He will honor us and bless us when we suffer for Him.

 

Lord, forgive us when we complain for suffering when it is our own doing or we are experiencing being a part of this world. When we suffer for being Your children, help us to rejoice and give You praise. In Your name we pray, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

http://insidetheshrink-dailygrace.blogspot.com/

 

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SALVATION AND SUFFERING

 

Philippians 1:29

 

"For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have." ESV

 

For every born again child of God, there is joy and peace in knowing that we are His and that we will live in eternity with our Lord and Savior. What an Honor! How humbling to know that He did this for you and for me. Sometimes we forget that along with this wonderful salvation, we are still confined to this world until He takes us home. While we are here, we will endure the trials and sorrows that this world brings to us. Our tribulations are the same as those who don't know Christ. The difference is, we know what awaits us. We can continue on in this life going through very difficult times with no complaining while continuing to praise Him.

 

Lord, how can we ever thank You enough for Your unending love and Your sacrifice on the cross? The least we can do is to keep walking through this life enduring the harsh and difficult things with praise on our lips, looking for Your return. In Your name we pray, Amen.

 

 

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

http://insidetheshrink-dailygrace.blogspot.com/

 

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ROYAL CROWN

Revelation 2:10

"Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life." ESV

A crown symbolizes one who reigns in royalty. Jesus gives His Word that He will give the crown of life to those who sacrifice, show faithfulness to Him, and endure the conflict and persecution of this world. He will place that crown on the head of the overcomer and nothing will be able to remove it. The overcomer will reign and rule with Christ forever and ever.

Heavenly Father, we know we cannot be faithful to You in our own strength. But we know by allowing the Holy Spirit to rule in our lives, we can be overcomers. Have mercy on us to overcome this world. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

http://insidetheshrink-dailygrace.blogspot.com/

 

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TEMPORARY SUFFERING, ETERNAL JOY

  Romans 8:18 

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." ESV

 

 

Suffering is something we all understand. Some much more than others. While we are in a time of suffering, we become focused on how bad it is, how nearly impossible it is to handle. Have we gotten so caught up in the suffering that our Lord told us we would experience in this world that we forget to look to Him for comfort? He has promised us that whatever suffering we experience on this earth will totally fade and be forgotten when get into eternity with Him. If we are suffering, let's look up and get snuggled up in His hands. The time is coming when all this suffering will be long forgotten, but worth it all.

 

Heavenly Father, sometimes we don't understand why we go through the suffering we do, but we know You have prepared an eternal place for us that knows no suffering. We thank You that our suffering is so temporary and that You are here to comfort us until we get there. In Your Precious name we pray, Amen.

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

http://insidetheshrink-dailygrace.blogspot.com/

 

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OUR SUFFERING HAS A PURPOSE

 

2 Corinthians 1:3,4

 

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." ESV

 

 

Any trial or suffering we might experience in this life is never in vain. God will put us in a place where we will find someone dealing with the same kind of experience. God gave us the grace and comfort we needed to get through that time of suffering. And, He lavishes us with the ability to understand and give comfort to someone else who needs it.

 

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the comfort You give us when we need it. We are amazed and honored that You bring meaning to our suffering by giving us opportunities to pass comfort and caring to those who go through similar trials. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

 

 



©2008-2014

Daily Grace



Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

http://insidetheshrink-dailygrace.blogspot.com/

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FOLLOW THE LEADER

 

 

1 Peter 2:21

 

"For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps." ESV

 

Jesus Christ came to earth, lived a sinless life, and revealed the Father to us. He also suffered greatly during His time here, and more so as He approached His death. He is our example. As Christians, we are called to follow Christ's example including His suffering. This is impossible to do in our own strength. It can only be accomplished by the grace and mercy of God and our steadfast faith in Him.

 

Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Son who showed us the pattern of living to which You have called us. We ask for your grace and mercy to walk as He did, for we know that without You we can do nothing. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

http://insidetheshrink-dailygrace.blogspot.com/

 

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WE CAN DO THIS

 

1 Peter 1:6,7

 

"In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith--more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire--may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." ESV

 

How can anyone be joyful when they are going through suffering, pain, and despair. We can do it. We know that trials and suffering will purify our faith and make us strong in the Lord. He will honor and reward us who remain faithful through the trials and suffering of this life. And He will welcome us with open arms. Knowing this gives us that deep joy of the Lord that this world cannot touch.

 

Heavenly Father, You know we are weak, but You know that we have the gift of faith to believe that we will suffer in this life, but You will reward us if we persevere and stand strong. Put within our hearts, the commitment to stand strong and endure because this life is temporary. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

 

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

http://insidetheshrink-dailygrace.blogspot.com/

 

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SUFFER WITH HOPE?

 

 

2 Timothy 1:12

 

"Which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me." ESV

 

The Lord told us that if we follow Him, we will suffer all kinds of problems and trials. There is no shame in this suffering, only joy in suffering for Him. The suffering is temporary. We trust that the Lord will keep all that we have given over to Him until we are with Him in eternity.

 

Heavenly Father, O how many times we forget that we are living in a cursed world, enemy territory. We are surprised that terrible and difficult things come into our lives. Help us to stay strong and remember that You will take care of us and everything we have committed to You. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

 

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

http://insidetheshrink-dailygrace.blogspot.com/

 

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LOOK WHAT HE DID!

 

 

Hebrews 12:3

 

"Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted." ESV

 

We certainly live in difficult times. Much of the time we get our eyes off the eternal realm and onto the earthly things going on around us. Most of us are struggling with trials of one kind or another. Let's just stop for a moment and consider what Jesus Christ experienced as He walked on this earth. He suffered to the point of death for being righteous and showing us the Father. If we will just remember this, it will cause us to keep our lives in the right perspective and to remember that we have not been required to suffer as He did.

 

Heavenly Father, how weak we are! We allow problems of all kinds to make us feel defeated. While there are times when tragedy strikes that we can barely stand, even then, Lord, You suffered far more than that. Help us to always look to what You went through for us when we feel attacked and afraid, that we might be strengthened in our faith. We pray in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

 

          

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

http://insidetheshrink-dailygrace.blogspot.com/

 

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WE AIN'T SEEN NOTHIN' YET

 

 

Romans 8:18

 

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." ESV

 

 

Suffering comes to all at one time or another. Some go through much more suffering than others. Some believe they are suffering horribly until they see others much worse off than themselves. Then there are some that suffer and live above the suffering so that others have no idea. Whatever the type or intensity of the suffering, it will fade away into nothing and be forgotten forever when we see the wonderful things God has for us who believe.

 

 

Heavenly Father, we confess that we complain and grumble when we are suffering in one way or another. Forgive us for focusing on the suffering, that will totally pass away, and help us to stay fixed on the glory You have waiting for us with You in heaven. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

 

 

          

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

http://insidetheshrink-dailygrace.blogspot.com/

 

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EVERYBODY ELSE IS DOING IT

1 Peter 5:9   "Resist him (the devil), firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world." ESV   There are times when very difficult things come to us. Some people have extreme tragedy. But these attacks in life come to everyone in some way or another. Yet, we groan and complain, we ask God why He is doing this to us. After all didn't He allow it? Jesus Himself told us that we would have tribulation in this world. The Word tells us it is the devil that just prowls around looking for someone to attack. His hope is that we will get mad at God, continue on in our misery, and be ineffective witnesses. As Christians, it is not our duty to pray for escape from Satan's attacks. It is our responsibility to resist the devil's scheme to get us to give up our faith. We are all in this battle and we may get wounded, but the battle is the Lord's. He will take care of us and all those Christians around the world who are going through the same things.   Heavenly Father, the consequences of sin and living in a cursed world is such that we allow ourselves to forget that we are not of this world, and we will incur wounds and scars here. Forgive us for self pity and groaning. Help us remember that all our Christian brothers and sisters are going through the same things. We know what lies ahead for us, help us to think about that. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.           ©2008-2013 Daily Grace Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC http://insidetheshrink-dailygrace.blogspot.com/ No Copyright Infringement Intended Personal Use Only

ALL OUR TROUBLES ARE TEMPORARY

 

 

Romans 8:18

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." ESV

Because we are bombarded with the stresses and situations of every day life, it seems we lose our focus on the fact that any problems or bad situations we experience are temporary. If we keep our eyes on our Lord and His promise of the glorious, perfect eternity, we will be able to cope much better with the sufferings of this life.

Heavenly Father, forgive us for losing our focus when suffering and problems come into our lives. Help us to keep Your promise of eternity in our hearts so that we can comfort ourselves and one another with this precious reality. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

        

©2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

http://insidetheshrink-dailygrace.blogspot.com/

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RESISTING EVIL

 

1 Peter 5:9

"Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothersthroughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings." NIV

 

 

"Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world." KJV

To be able to stand firm against the deceitful enemy and his attacks, we are to hold fast to our faith, which comes from hearing the Word and hiding it in our hearts. We are not alone in resisting evil. All Christians everywhere are experiencing the same struggles.

Heavenly Father, we cannot stand against suffering and trials on our own. We ask for Your power to resist evil in this world and use the faith You have given us to stand strong. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

       

©2012

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

http://insidetheshrink-dailygrace.blogspot.com/

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SUFFERING FOR GOD

 

1 Peter 2:19

"For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God." NIV

 

 

"For this is thank-worthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully." KJV

 

 

Do we really know what it is to suffer for God's sake? Are we acquainted with persecution for our Christian beliefs? Unfortunately, we complain when life's troubles come our way, even after Jesus told us we would have the world's tribulations while we are here. All people suffer those trials. If we have difficulty standing under the normal problems of this world, how will we stand when we are suffering unjust punishment for standing for our Lord and Saviour? If we will commit our lives totally to the Lord, in obedience and faith, He will be with us to stand under the pain of suffering for Him.

 

 

Heavenly Father, forgive us for complaining about the problems we experience as humans in this world. Give us focus on You and how we live our lives here on this earth so that when persecution due to our faith in You comes, we will be ready to stand strong and victoriously by Your grace. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

http://insidetheshrink-dailygrace.blogspot.com/

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