While reading through the Bible study I am currently involved in I am studying the aspect of Christian suffering. There are many types of suffering. When you lose your house in a tornado you suffer. When you have cancer you suffer. When someone breaks your heart you suffer. You may suffer when you see someone you love go through a painful trial.

As I was thinking about this I thought about Christ. He suffered more than most. He did not suffer for lack of material possessions though because he had none. He was supported while in His ministry but the bag which they kept his money in was small enough that it could be held in a hand. The only thing he owned was his robe and that was sold before he died. He was not tied to this world by materialism. He was bound by His love, not for money, but for lost souls.

As I reflect on my life I realize that little by little God is releasing my grip on money. I used to have money in investments. I had enough money to go for a couple of years without working. Or at least I thought I did when I stopped working in 2012. That money lasted for quite some time but then I knew I needed to go back to work if I wanted to keep my house. I went from having savings to having none and a bit of debt in fact.

I have never liked debt and it is very hard to climb out of that valley but I have realized something. I am happier now than when I had the money in the bank. I hope to get out of debt within the year by working very hard but I have learned that God will take care of my needs.

What He is not concerned about is my wants. I want new carpet, I want new sofas, I want to have my house painted, I want to buy a new car so that I can give my current car to my son. I can not afford any of my wants but my needs have been provided for beyond measure. I have never gone hungry, I have a roof over my head that is a fabulous roof, my car is still running and I appreciate my car more than most do, I have a closet full of clothes, I have my health and my children are also in good health. I have dear sweet friends and lovely Christian sisters who I fellowship with. I have plenty of Bibles to study and most of all I have what money could never buy; I have the love of my heavenly Father.

As I hear of the suffering of others in other nations due to natural disasters and wars I intercede for them in supplication to my Heavenly Father. I realize that God has protected me and supplied my needs so that I can intercede for those who are suffering.