"Friends, when life gets really difficult, don't jump to the conclusion that God isn't on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner."
                                        1 Peter 4:12-13
                                           The Message

You know, this seems pretty straightforward, doesn't it? The way Peter wrote this, it seems like he may have just expected this kind of situation to be the norm for us that follow Jesus. So why does it come as a shock every time life gets really difficult? Then Peter goes on to say that we are to be glad. Glad? Really??? How can we be glad for difficulties that are often agonizingly painful?

Was Peter teaching that we should be happy when we experience loss, betrayal, or disease? Should we jump up and down and shout with joy for death, deceit, or cancer? I can't imagine that God does. As a matter of fact, He sent Jesus to defeat those things on the cross. So what are we to do? We are to know that there is purpose in God allowing our suffering for a season. We are to remember that in difficulty, we come to the end of ourselves and find the power of the Holy Spirit readily available. We are to know that God will use this for our good, otherwise it wouldn't be allowed.

Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.
                                               Romans 8:28
                                               The Message

This is a lesson that I have been learning...again. God, in His mercy, loves me too much to leave me in a "just okay" state. He wants more than that for me. I'm very thankful for that. '

New opportunities are arising for me. I will be joining a wonderful team from India Partners (http://indiapartners.org) on February 14th for a two week trip to India. The first week we will be training counselors that are working with commercial sex workers in the red light district in Mumbai. The second week will be leadership training for leaders working in church planting and evangelism. Trip dates are February 14th - March 1st. I would greatly appreciate your prayers for my safety and health, but most of all for an anointing to share words of life.


Leslie is also busy during this season of her life. She has set her wedding date for March 30th, so as you can imagine, she has a few details to handle. Please pray for her, as well as her fiance', Richard, as they prepare to launch out into this new adventure with God and each other.

Thank you for all your love and support. Y'all are the best!

Stephanie (and for Leslie, too)

Love Through Me International Ministries