Suffering with Purpose

“Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence?” – Psalm 139:7

It seems easier to find the Lord working in my life when blessings are coming from every direction. However, I’m thankfully seeing God more and more in my daily crosses. When He said, ‘whoever wishes to follow Me must deny himself, take up his cross and follow Me’, He really meant it! It is difficult to follow Christ, but not impossible.

The cross reminds me of Christ’s suffering and death. But also of His resurrection. There is nothing more comforting than suffering intimately with the Lord. I am at peace knowing that the Lord gives me a cross because He wants me to experience His deep, authentic and transforming love for me. He wants me to turn to Him. He wants me to rely on Him. He just wants me. I was made to love Him. He is what my heart wants and will always want.

Thank You, God for my crosses. Through them, I have the opportunity to experience death of myself and a renewed life in You. Give me the grace I need to carry my cross joyfully and to offer up myself to you entirely.