Spiritual Warfare: 'Suffering in This World Connects Us to Jesus'

God's Power for Our Battles — Wednesday, April 8, 2026

We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.
— 2 Corinthians 4:8-10 NLT

Today's Prayer

Lord, You suffered humiliation, shame, pain, agony, and death for our sake. Forgive me for expecting a pain-free life just because I belong to You. Remind me that the suffering I experience now - though it's nothing to compare to what You suffered - connects me to You in a unique, eternal way. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

7 Related Resources by Heartlight

God's Treasure Revealed
Devo: Praying with Paul
"Dear Father, powerful sustainer, Thank you for putting your treasure in a cracked clay pot like me so that it will be evident that the treasure is..."
Treasure in Fragile Clay Pots
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Precious Follower, In Paul's day, the Greek language had two words for two different types of pots. One was called an amphiphora. An amphiphora...."
Can you hang on a little longer?
Illustration of 2 Corinthians 4:7-16
Inspirational illustration of 2 Corinthians 4:7-16 -- We do not lose heart, so we do not fix our eyes on what is seen, but what is unseen, for what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
We Do Not Lose Heart
Article by Tom Norvell
Come on! Can we really say this honestly? Tom Norvell uses Paul's words to the Corinthians to help us know that we can keep on the journey of faith and not lose heart.
See All 7 Related Resources about 2 Corinthians 4:8-10

Illustration

Illustration of 2 Corinthians 4:8-10 NLT — We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Wednesday, April 8, 2026

Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'We Must Not Make Things Difficult!'
"Everyone [at the Jerusalem meeting about whether Gentile Christians had to follow Jewish customs] listened quietly as Barnabas and Paul told about..."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Prayer and Good Deeds' (1 Ti. 2:8-14)
"Dear Father, Let the men of your church pray constantly to you, lifting holy hands without quarreling. May your women adorn themselves modestly and....."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Beyond Magic: Supernatural!'
"Dear Beloved, On the night I was betrayed, I shared in what you call The Last Supper. I gathered with My closest disciples around a table to share..."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'The Chosen One of God' (Jn. 1:33-34)
"[John the Baptizer continued,] "I didn't know [Jesus] was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, 'The one on whom you see the Spirit....."

About This Devotional

Spiritual Warfare is a daily devotional about God's power for our battles.

The Prayer for Spiritual Warfare is written by Steve Hemphill.

More Spiritual Warfare