Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. - 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Dear Jesus,
I remember how you prayed the night before you died that your Father would not take us out of the world but that he would protect us from the evil one. I know you have good and holy reasons for leaving me here on earth to serve and be served, to give and to be given to, to suffer and to suffer with others. Your words and promises speak a lot of comfort to my heart. I know you are with me as I walk some of the same trails that you did. I know you will greet me face to face at the end of my race. I know you speak to the Father on my behalf and I know you are growing me through my trials. When I suffer, help me to speak from that stage words that reflect your Holy Spirit's message for all who would see me suffer. Use my suffering and the comfort I receive to bless others in their hour of need. Give purpose and power to my suffering!
AMEN
Pastor Don Patterson
When you suffer with a purpose, everything about it looks and feels different.
Additional Reading: 1 Peter 1