//Thursday night I had the opportunity to attend the Aldersgate 2020 Virtual Conference and the speaker was Bishop James Swanson (bio on bottom of this link). 

He shared about ways we can endure suffering from I Peter 5:6-10, (CEB):

"Therefore, humble yourselves under God’s power so that he may raise you up in the last day. Throw all your anxiety onto him, because he cares about you. Be clearheaded. Keep alert. Your accuser, the devil, is on the prowl like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith. Do so in the knowledge that your fellow believers are enduring the same suffering throughout the world. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, the one who called you into his eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will himself restore, empower, strengthen, and establish you."

I realize that each person's suffering is unique and so is our response and reaction to it. A few things really spoke to me from his sermon and I'd like to share a few brief thoughts.

I need to humble myself. In other words, I need to be willing to give up my rights in order to bless others. Not an easy task, but with God, all things are possible. 

I need to throw my anxiety on God. Literally, throw my fears on Him. This really spoke to me. God has freed me of many of my fears, but Bishop Swanson shared that God already knows my anxious thoughts so I may as well confess them. When I do this one, seemingly-simple act; it takes away the authority that fear has over me! Glory to God!//

Then Bishop Swanson pointed out the short phrase "...for a little while." Our suffering may feel like it's going on forever, but if we will endure (remain firm) God promises it won't last forever! Why? Because God is a God who is full of grace and has already called us to eternal glory in Jesus.

What is the result of our enduring? Jesus, Himself, will restore, empower, strengthen, and establish me! Establish means to make stable; to cause to grow and multiply. Wow! I really don't like to suffer (who does), but the outcome is beautiful. I want to grow to be more like Jesus and to see His love multiplied in my life to give to others! 

I pray that this will encourage your heart today in the midst of whatever you feel like you must endure. Which result do you want to see Jesus grow in your life today? 

This post was prompted by Kate Motaung's "Five Minute Friday," which she hosts on the Five Minute Friday website. Kate posts a single word each week and each blogger sets a timer for 5 minutes to write and then posts, with little editing. (Some weeks I have more trouble with that part than others.) Check out the other writers on this topic!