Enduring Hardship

*Morning devotion (11th August, 2023)* *Quarterly theme: In Christ Alone* *Monthly Theme: A better country* *Worship leader:* Sis. Odelana Eunice (Asst. Prayer secretary Transco Phase 2022/2023) *Ministering:* Sis. Praise Ogar (Asst. Prayer Secretary) *Topic:* Endure Hardness *Text:* James 1:1-4, 2 Timothy 2:3,4. *Message* To endure means staying in a particular place for a long time regardless of the uncomforting situations. Hardness implies being strong. What does it mean to endure hardness? To endure suffering; stay in your place of suffering.The life of a Christian is both sweet and bitter. It is filled with roses and thorns.We have our part of suffering to go through- for gold to be good, it must go through intense fire. The part of suffering will bring out who we truly are. It is only in the place of suffering you will know your identity. You will not understand patience if you have not seen any reason to wait. You will know if Jesus is in your boat when you go through the storms of life. As a child of God if you have not gone through any moment suffering at all, then you really have not started. As a child of God your own suffering may be that instruction God is giving you.Your own hardness might be poverty, it might be God asking you to fast for 40days or God asking to tame your tongue. The reason why suffering might look like suffering for a believer is so that the flesh might be crucified. A time will come when your self will will be crushed to pieces. When a believer suffers, it is unto life but when an unbeliever suffers, it is unto to death. Have you ever consider that suffering is something that when you come out of it, will glorify God? Hence, what we need to seek is the grace of God to stay through the making process of our lives and be as hard as He intends us to be. *Prayer Point* ✓ Oh Lord, help me to go through this hardness, give me the grace to endure the hardness you bring my way. *God bless you!*