“The word of God cannot be chained. So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen.”
2 Timothy 2:9-10

Happy Friday everyone! I remember hearing an interview with a pair of missionaries who had been serving in the Eastern hemisphere and had just moved their ministry here to the Western Hemisphere. The interviewer asked this question that I’ll never forget their answer to. The interviewer asked, “What is the major difference between ministry in the East and ministry here in the West?”

Without hesitation, they answered the major difference is in the perspective of pain. In the West, pain is seen as something to be eradicated and eliminated. And there’s something seriously wrong if that doesn’t happen, and there’s someone to blame if that doesn’t happen. But in the East, pain is seen as something that is to be endured.

It reminded me of this verse in Scripture: “The word of God cannot be chained. So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen.” 2 Timothy 2:9-10

You know, perhaps we as Western Christians could learn from this, and maybe, perhaps gain a little bit of perspective from our brothers and sisters in the East. That we might see faith as something that helps us to endure and trust God, even though painful times.

Prayer
Dear God, we thank You for the gift of faith. That You give to us the opportunity to believe in things that we cannot see currently. And Lord, there is no time that is more important for us to have those eyes of faith than when we are suffering and hurting. Please grant to us the faith to continue to endure, that we might be able to trust You through each circumstance, that we would continue to look forward and know that one day You will bring an end to all pain and suffering.

And until then, You are here with us, even in the midst of painful circumstances. Lift our spirits and grant us a strong faith. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.