Begin with two minutes of silence and stillness before God.
When I read in 2 Timothy 2 about strength and perseverance, I can’t help but think about the Book of Job. I have reflected many times in life on how people say cliché things like “God won’t give you more than you can handle” and “Bad things won’t happen to good people”, but as a human being, I have experienced some of the heaviest and hardest journeys that any person may be called to walk. Was it more than I could handle? That would be a resounding YES. But God… With God’s presence and His strength, I not only survived but my faith grew immensely and I experienced an unexplainable faith that could only come from God.
What did Job teach us through his journey recounted in 42 chapters?
Job’s suffering did not happen because he was bad, but rather a test of his faithfulness.
Even in our suffering, we cannot lose our hope in God.
Even if our friends and family fail us, God never will.
Even if He seems silent, God is always present.
God is with us even in our storms.
After repentance and forgiveness come blessings.
If your story helps the next person walk through a difficult time a little easier, then you didn’t suffer in vain. Paul challenged Timothy to be strong. This was an important encouragement as Paul knew that Timothy would need strength and endurance to fulfill the calling God gave him.
Take two minutes to reflect in silence.