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Now the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will personally restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little.
“Whatever you do, don’t get the shots!”. As my five-year-old son left his primary care visit, this was his proclamation to the children in the waiting area. From his perspective, all he could see was the suffering he experienced as the nurse administered the injections. This little guy couldn’t see the benefit of the suffering pain; and he certainly couldn’t see that his dad had dropped everything to sit and hold his hand and offer encouragement and support. All he understood was the piercing pain through his skin. Holding him tightly, his dad comforted him as he persevered through the pain. On the other side of the unpleasantness, a healthier, more confident kid emerged, one who knew his dad was committed to faithfully supporting him.
In life, we often need a change in our perspective, too. We would do well to remember pain and suffering are momentary and always for a purpose; even though it’s likely that just as a little child, we can’t see it. Suffering is often to produce virtue within us and to build confidence in our relationship with our Father God. The goal of suffering for a believer is never to destroy, but rather, se we know we’ve been with Jesus, and that perspective changes everything.
God, thank you for being a personal Father to me. Thank you for being my strength and support during difficult times. Thank you for changing me through painful circumstances as I rely upon your grace to sustain and establish my steps. Change my perspective so that I may recognize the joy of being with you. I praise you for the promise that pain and suffering are momentary and that through every moment, you are with me. I pray that my life, especially in times of hardship, reflects the reality that I have been with Jesus.
Amen.
Today, pray for our Journey Kids ministry. Pray for our leaders. Pray for our children who attend and will attend our kid's environment. Pray that the Gospel be revealed and that their value is seen in Jesus.
Adrienne Lugo (Journey Kids Director)
Ashley Monk (Orange City Journey Kids Coordinator)
Jessica Teran (Deltona Journey Kids Coordinator)
Caitlynn Hurta (DeLand Journey Students)
Group Leaders
Our children