Hey Friends...
Painfully precious are the times
I have to fight physically alone
because those are the times I realize that it's just me and God.
Painfully hopeful are the days
there's no one else around to tell me I'll be okay
because those are the days I must be reminded by my Creator.
Painfully needed are the hours I spend
waiting for someone to show me the Love I was created to share
because those are the hours I wait for my God to be revealed.
Painfully purchased was my soul.
Painfully, desperately, willingly.
Painfully this life endures,
desperately I seek Love's hope,
willingly He purchased my soul.
Painfully may be the way this road is traveled
but willingly I go.
Painfully Christ shed His blood
Willingly He purchased my soul
Painfully that road He walked
Willingly for me
Painfully I may walk this road
but willingly I go.
"Whenever a woman is in labor she has pain, because her hour has come;
but when she gives birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy that a child has been born into the world.
"Therefore you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you."
--Jesus, John 16:21-22
To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you,
leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
"He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth."
When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.
For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.
1 Peter 2:21-25
But it is still my consolation, and I rejoice in unsparing pain,
that I have not denied the words of the Holy One.
Job 6:10
Painfully I may walk this road
but willingly I go.
Fellow Soldier, are you with me?
He's worth it.
Don't be afraid. He'll never leave us alone.
Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.
"Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened."
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience,
so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ
may be ashamed of their slander.
It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.
1 Peter 3:13-18
Pain will come.
Our choice is to suffer for doing good
rather than doing wrong.
Christ did.
He will provide sustaining joy
when we choose to praise Him even in pain.
But it is still my consolation, and I rejoice in unsparing pain,
that I have not denied the words of the Holy One.
Job 6:10
Fellow Soldier, pick up your Sword.
It's rough out here,
but we know Who we're fighting for.
He's worth it.
Let's go.
