Advent 2022 - Day 21

Saturday, December 17thFinding Joy in Suffering By Davis Givens / Season of life: 17, Student and Baseball Player   ScriptureNot only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering producesendurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, andhope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our heartsthrough the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.  ~ Romans 5:3-5   A couple of years ago, I was at a crossroads. You see, I had been a student at my former school for over 10 years, but I was not happy. My elementary years were great. My middle school years were ok; but, my high school experience was terrible. I could not put my finger on it, but something was toxic at that high school. I was not happy, and it carried over to home. We all were suffering. I ended up making a mistake, and we made a change.   Change is extremely hard, but it had to be made. I walked away from the only school I knew, and it has changed my life. I am truly filled with joy.    God has given us many things. I know that it may seem strange, but you can find joy from the Lord through suffering. We tend to see suffering as a bad thing, but Jesus suffered on the cross for our sins. We should be joyful that He did because we would be lost in sin without Him.   Closing prayerDear Lord, thank you for this day. Thank You for the blessings You have given us: the breath in our lungs, the ability to worship you, and to know that you are alwaysthere. There is nothing that You can’t do. Lord, please guide us in our actions in a way that glorifies you in all that we do. In Jesus’s name, Amen_________________________________________________ReflectionsHave you ever made a mistake that led to a change in your life?  Describe the situation.___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________   The Lord often uses these mistakes to do a new thing in our lives.  In what way has God used that mistake for your good?___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________   Reread Romans 5:3-5. Knowing that God uses our sufferings to produce goodness in us, think of a way that God is growing something good in you through a suffering you have experienced.___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________     Lord God, may I “repeat the sounding joy” of who You are today!