If anyone knew what suffering was like, it was this man.
For months, his home had been a dark, cramped jail cell inside a Roman prison. He had nowhere to sleep but a hard stone floor. And the manacles and chains that were once just a nuisance now cut into his wrists and legs.
Brutally beaten, falsely accused, and left for dead, he could have easily grumbled and complained about his circumstances. Yet he didn’t.
Instead, he sang songs of praise and thanksgiving inside his private cell. Instead of giving up and giving in, he surrendered his very will and breath to his living, heavenly Father.
We know this man as the apostle Paul – someone with the singular mission of spreading the Good News of Jesus. In all, Paul spent roughly six years in prison in the cities of Rome, Philippi, and Caesarea under the harshest conditions imaginable because of his faith. But despite his overwhelming hardships, we know his thankfulness in the face of adversity brought about tremendous grace!
That same grace can be yours today. Regardless of where you are on your spiritual journey, God wants you to enter a new season of thankfulness in Him so you can experience His eternal joy.
Like Paul, you have the power to flip the switch of your focus and choose His goodness over your problems and circumstances. In faith, you can experience His peace more intimately and know His presence because of His deep and abiding love for you.
You have the favor of the Almighty Father and He’s lifting you up even as we speak. Give Him all that you have and are… and know that He is God even in the midst of your trials and frustrations.
Roone Acree
~Christ Fellowship