Philippians 3:10 – That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.

The Apostle Paul considered all things loss for Christ and his one desire was to know Christ in a powerful way. To know Him so well that even he could comprehend the fullness of the Lords power and ability to overcome any and every obstacle. Paul even went so far as to accept suffering as a benefit not a hinderance. He knew that suffering was what identified his own life with the life of Jesus. Paul had a close and intimate relationship with his Lord, so much so, that only through that relationship could he consider his suffering a benefit and not a struggle.

Challenge:

If you are like me, suffering is something that you try to avoid at all costs. Let’s face the facts, suffering hurts and will always hurt physically. Recall a time in your own life that you were suffering and how God used others in your life to help you through. This week ask the Holy Spirit to show you someone who is suffering and then minister to and meet those needs in every way possible so they may experience Christ through you. God bless you.