09/06/2026
To say the last week or two have been challenging would be an understatement. Things in the kingdom of God are contrary to the ways of the world. Where, for one, opposition is actually a compliment. Because the enemy is not going to attack anybody that’s on his side. But when you’re trying to stay in alignment and be obedient and hear the voice of the Lord, seeking His ways, living by His precepts, His commands, His ways in totality, making Him your entire life, forsaking sin, living clean, submitting to the refinement and the purging and the pruning that He wants to do in your life to make you more like Him, hell will throw its arsenal at you. From mind games to health issues, finances, disruptions, things occurring on the job where it’s sporadic and you’re like, What just hit me? What just happened? But in these cases we must learn to suffer well. We must embrace it and praise the Lord even in the midst of it, because God is using it to grow us up and bring us to full maturity in Him. It’s a testing of faith, and it’s a testimony to everybody that sees. Just like Job, sometimes the Lord dangles you, brags on you by putting you in the fire so all the people could see that the one that stands with you in the fire causes you to withstand and not be burnt. When logically they’re thinking, You should give up. You should be dead even right now. You shouldn’t be standing. How are you still praising? How are you still full of joy and peace? They don’t understand. But that’s a testimony of the Lord’s power and strength and glory through it all. The hand of God upon you is a testimony for others unto salvation. Embrace every moment of it, even when it hurts. Even when you don’t understand. Even when it’s tedious and you find yourself with zero strength. Know that the Lord is with you and He hasn’t left you alone, nor has He forgotten about you. He stands with you in the fire. You come out refined, not smelling like smoke, but shining even brighter so others can see His glory and marvelous light. So that they may encounter the cross and come to a place of surrender and submission unto salvation.