The Scripture…The Apostle Paul said, “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21
The Devotion…
A well known preacher recently revealed a story about a hardship she had experienced. During the Question and Answer portion following the lecture, someone asked her how she could so easily disclose such a painful experience….she responded, “it isn’t easy, but because the hardship in the end brought me joy, I shared the story to encourage all of you.” She followed up by saying, “I no longer see the hardships I have experienced as open wounds but as scars …and scar tissue is strong.”
The world does not promise much to those who suffer hardship but the church and life in Christ does. The apostle Paul understood hardship, but saw the bigger picture of life with Christ…and he chose joy…he lived blessed.
Sometimes weary, sometimes beaten back by life we come to our mats. We breathe and center ourselves in God’s presence and promise……
By the healing power of the Spirit, we leave our mats joyful and blessed.
