This is a theme that has been playing through my head for the past few days. Recently a friend of mine experienced some spiritual suffering and as I was praying for that friend another came to mind that has gone through a few similar experiences.
I couldn’t help but cry out for them asking God why. Why must these two people I love be afflicted? Then He answered. God answered! and said,
“They have been chosen to carry that burden; I will be their strength.”
I was dumbfounded for a minute. I could have in the moment, like a two year old, again ask why, but His answer made sense to me. In every season of Christianity there have been a select few that have been chosen, even called, to suffer for the cause Christ has laid on their heart. Somehow God gave me an understanding of that. The thoughts, friends, and situations were still heavy on my heart, but God had so sweetly given me a glimpse of more of Him.
The following Sunday another good friend of mine shared something God had laid on his heart for the church. He spoke of Jeremiah and his ministry.
When God called Jeremiah He told him that his ministry would fail (Jeremiah 7:27). Even though Jeremiah knew this he went on for forty years speaking the words God gave him. God called him to do something and he would not quit even though he was tired, persecuted, imprisoned, and even wanted to give up a few times. God was his strength!
What about us? When God has called us to something are we willing to keep going even if we are beat down? (even by our own friends or family?) What if God told us from the beginning that He had chosen us to suffer? Would we still say yes? I don’t know how I would answer. For now I just pray that God would be my strength as each day comes, and thank Him that His mercies are new every day!
Through Christ,
Brooke
