1 Peter 5:6
August 27, 2023
FEAST OF SAINT AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO, BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH – 28th AUGUST
August 28, 2023
THE 27TH OF AUGUST
WE CAN OVERCOME THE CHALLENGES OF LIFE THROUGH THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed – 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
The apostles went through very hard times for their belief in Jesus. They suffered all kinds of persecution, and as Paul wrote here, they chose to see the good in every bad situation they had to go through. We can learn great lessons from their examples. If we start to praise Jesus and thank Him for all the good in our lives when going through suffering, the Holy Spirit will strengthen us, and we can be victorious.
Even if what we are going through cannot be compared with what Jesus or even the apostles suffered, we may find ourselves at times in life hard-pressed from all sides, but we can be sure that our Lord will not allow us to be crushed. Circumstances might shock us, but because we trust in Jesus and know that He will help us overcome, we keep our hope alive and not despair. Even if others are persecuting us for our faith and even our relatives and friends forsake us, our Lord remains in us and strengthens us.
SUGGESTED PRAYER
Heavenly Father, I love you so much and I know that I can do all things, in You who strengthens me. Every time I choose to praise You, during trials, I get my peace and joy back and I overcome whatever I am going through. Please help me to always focus on You, to worship You no matter what happens and find my joy in pleasing You. I do not like trials and pain, but I know that You use them to help me grow in You and to change what must be changed in me. So please help me keep a pure heart and the right attitude while going through hardships, so that I will pass the test and not have to go through the same test again and again. In the Name of Jesus I pray. Amen
Source: thetruthstandsforever 
