Together as One: A Lent DevotionalНамуна

Day 3: Together through trials

What kinds of trials are you facing at the moment? Have you ever felt like Paul in this passage, ‘hard-pressed’, ‘perplexed’, or ‘struck down’? We all experience difficulties at some stage – it’s part of being human. But the good news is that God is with us. As Paul reminds us in verse 12 of this passage, Jesus is ‘at work in you’, even if you can’t always see it. And that’s a great comfort.

And through the church, God is at work in communities around the world who are suffering in extreme poverty.

Hope in trials

Perched on the banks of the river in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, are the slum communities known as los bordos [the edges]. People there have no access to clean drinking water or sewage systems. During the rainy season, rivers break their banks and wash away what little belongings people have. Poverty is fuelling violence and crime.

But Jesus is bringing new life there, too. Alongside 26 churches, Tearfund’s partner helped communities advocate for their right to a safe place to live. They also provided training in emotional wellbeing, communication and how to apply for jobs, helping people to lift themselves and their families out of poverty.

This training was transformational for twenty-five-year-old Pyeni Carolina Fuentes. She applied to the programme and enrolled in a beauty school training course.

‘I never imagined that the support would be so complete,’ she said. ‘It was not only money for the tuition of the course; it was also the spiritual talks, the counselling and the business talks.’

Pyeni now has a permanent job at a beauty salon. She used to share a cramped house with 15 people, but with the money she earns, she’s able to support her parents and has built a better home for her family.

‘We need nothing today, not only because of what I learned – a trade that gives me work – but also because my life and my family's lives changed,’ she said.

When we go through trials, it can be tempting to isolate ourselves from other people. But what if God wants to use the people in our lives to support us, encourage and strengthen us?

Reflect

• It must have taken Pyeni courage to apply for the training course. Do you ever find it difficult to ask for help when you go through trials? Why do you think that is?
• Who do you feel encouraged by when you go through difficult times? Spend time thanking God for them.
• Do you know anyone who is facing a trial at the moment? Spend time praying for them, and ask God to show you some practical ways you could support them.

Pray

Loving Jesus,

Thank you that when I walk through trials, you are with me. You never leave me. Thank you that when I feel hard-pressed or struck down, you are still at work in me. Help me to draw strength from the comfort of your presence.

I pray for people around the world who are persecuted because of their faith, or who are living in extreme poverty. Let your life be at work in them, bringing them joy and peace.

Open my eyes to see the ways you are working in my life, and may my life reveal your love and goodness to everyone around me.

In Jesus’ name, amen.