Kindred Suffering

Will You Be Defeated?



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Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings (1 Peter 5:8-9)

Do you hear the lies that appear in your brain, but resonate in your heart?  You know, the ones that leave you defeated as they touch your every insecurity.

I have. Ringing loud and clear, the lies have stolen my confidence and peace. Your's too, I'm sure.

Our hope? We can resist, stand firm in faith, and know we're not alone in suffering- many believers are in similar or more dire situations. Hello! That's kindred suffering! (Not to mention, our Savior said He would never leave- Deut 31:8)

His death gave us victory- The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly (John 10:10).

What would it look like if we, in our kindred suffering, refused to have anything stolen from us, to die, or to be destroyed? Instead, we would be men and women who walked in the abundance of life with Him. Walking not in our own ability, but in the Spirit.

Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh (Galatians 3:3)? The flesh does not "have this" for you. In the flesh, we're powerless, and defeated. Rely on the Spirit.

I'm tired, y'all, of letting fear and lies keep me down. I can't be alone in this- are you tired too?Here "suffering" with you.

In His Name,
Jennifer