Rejoice Amidst Suffering

I bless you to
“Rejoice insofar as
You share Christ’s sufferings” (1 Peter 4:13, ESV).

May God’s grace
Grow in you increasingly
Until you learn the power
Of rejoicing even when
Misunderstood,
Maligned,
Mistreated.

In such times,
There is a savor
Of fellowship –
“Koinonia” – deep connection,
With Jesus Himself
Who suffered for you
And who draws near to you
When life hurts.

When you face the
Uncertainties
And Difficulties
And Tragedies,
May you know
The sweetness of Christ’s
Presence
And, in that intimate fellowship,
You can rejoice,
Child of God,
You can rejoice.