Have you suffered? ?

The Apostle Paul struggled with patience because he and every other Christian in the Roman Empire were being persecuted. Can you imagine being a first-century Christian? Public humiliation, confiscation of property, beatings, being used as a human torch and being fed to wild animals could have been the fate of any believer at any time. It must have been horrible. 

Have you suffered for your faith? 

Paul prayed this prayer for a group of believers in Colossae: “so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience,” (Colossians 1:10-11, NIV).

Years ago at church, I met a new couple for whom this prayer from Colossians was a reality. My eyes were suddenly opened to the extent of persecution many Christians in the Middle East were experiencing. This wonderful couple moved to our city with their two young children. I found out they were escaping religious persecution. I invited them to lunch so I could hear their heart and their life story. My eyes swelled with tears when I heard of the torture the husband had endured, but it didn’t compare to the shock of hearing the wife’s throat had been slit. Her father had hired men to kill her because she had accepted Christ as her Savior and Lord.

Although this couple had experienced such pain, they had a beautiful spirit of love. Counseling and prayer helped them to overcome the torture and abuse they had suffered and even to love their enemies. They had received an amazing amount of patience from God.

I definitely need more patience. How about you?

Although I never want any of you to suffer like my friends, I do want all of us to receive the gift of patience so we can make it through this pandemic. Can we commit to helping others breathe in the peace of the Holy Spirit and the love of God in these frustrating times?

I know God will help you because you’re a miracle.