December 11, 2021‭‭ - 1 Peter‬ ‭4:1-2

“Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.” 1 Peter 4:1-2 NKJV

Jesus, we thank you so much for becoming flesh for us. You chose to become a man and lived the life of a human. You experienced all the hurt and heartbreak that we go through and more. There is nothing that we will face that you can’t relate to. Thank you that you were willing to take on pain for our sake. You faced hard times. You walked through the wilderness. Thank you for being a perfect example that we can follow.

Jesus, I think looking at the seasons of your life shows us that even if we live perfectly, we will still experience pain and hard times in life. Suffering is a season that we will all go through. Help us to have the same mind as you so that when we go through pain and suffering it brings spiritual maturity. Let it strengthen us and help us grow into the warriors that you need us to be. Lord, when we go through the hard and painful seasons help us to walk in obedience and press into you. Help us not to get stuck in these seasons because we refuse to allow you to grow us.

Lord, we thank you for the seasons that mature us. We thank you that you are teaching us to be overcomers. You are strengthening us so we can stand up to sin and not give in to temptation. You are teaching us how to conquer the lust of our flesh. We ask that when we go through the wilderness, and we feel so far from you, that you would remind us of the purpose of these seasons. Help us not to allow the pain to turn to bitterness or push us away from you. Help us to stand in faith in knowing that you are with us and guarding us. We praise you for the seasons that mature us. We thank you that you have walked the journey before us and showed us it is possible. Thank you for how you work in us.

In Jesus name, amen.