Fred's Devo # 44 " When Challenges Come"

Yesterday, we discussed the attitude of the believer. Today's devotional topic is:
"When Challenges Come"

"14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited." (Romans 12:14-16)

Every day in the life of a believer will not be peaches and ice cream. Because we call on the name of Jesus, we will sonetimes suffer persecution from those who do not follow Jesus. Do we fight back or retaliate? No! Surprisngly, the passage tells us to bless those who persecute us and not to curse them. What! This is counter cultural and counter intuitive, yet this is what the Lord would have us to do. When our brothers and sisters are hurting, instead of going on with our lives, we are to sit and mourn with them and show compassion for them. Do not too quickly try to move them past their grief but sit with them in their grief. Then we are told to live in harmony with others-be a peace maker, not a trouble maker. This is really helped by an attitude of humlility rather than pride. Humilility also helps us to reach out to people who are left out, margninalized or poor.

Let's Pray: Lord, when challenges come my way, help me to respond the way you want to respond rather than in my flesh or in selfisnness.
In Jesus Name Amen!