The Beautiful Cost
OPENING PRAYER:
Father, as these 28 days come to a close, thank You for walking with me every step. Open my heart one more time today to whatever You want to say. Amen.
“So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News. For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. And now he has made all of this plain to us by the appearing of Christ Jesus, our Savior. He broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News. And God chose me to be a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of this Good News.
That is why I am suffering here in prison. But I am not ashamed of it, for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return.”
“Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them. And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules. And hardworking farmers should be the first to enjoy the fruit of their labor. Think about what I am saying. The Lord will help you understand all these things.
Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach. And
because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained.
So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen.”
2 Timothy 1:8-12, 2:3-10 (NLT)
REFLECT:
The young doctor sat across from the hospital administrator. A patient had complained that she'd offered to pray for them. "Keep your faith private," the administrator said. "If it happens again, we'll have to reconsider your position here." Walking to her car, the doctor felt the weight of a hard truth: sharing her faith—even in the most gentle, responsive ways—might cost her the career she'd worked so hard to build. Paul's words echo across the centuries: "With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News." (2 Timothy 1:8b NLT)
Throughout Scripture and history, we encounter what might be called "the law of hardship"—the principle that faithfully sharing Christ will often bring difficulty. Jesus warned, "Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you." The form of opposition changes—from ancient martyrdom to modern workplace tension—but the pattern remains. Faithful witness meets resistance.
Yet hardship produces surprising benefits. It produces authenticity—when faith costs something, it displays its worth. It deepens conviction—we value what costs us something. And it creates a compelling testimony. When Richard Wurmbrand's torturer asked, "How can you still love God after what He has allowed?" Wurmbrand replied, "You're asking the wrong question. It's not why I still love God. It's why does God still love me?" His response, in the midst of suffering, deeply affected his persecutor.
Paul offers a stunning perspective: "I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained. So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen." (2 Timothy 2:9b-10 NLT) Paul suffers. Others benefit. The result is eternal glory.
The doctor from our opening story prayed with a dying patient—and faced a formal review and a job transfer. Years later, she received a letter from the patient's daughter: "Mom died at peace. What you did mattered more than you realize." Sometimes the fruit of costly faith doesn't show for years—or until eternity. But Paul's conviction remains true: it will be worth it all.
APPLY:
Pray For Your One
- 1. Ask God to prepare your heart for the possibility that faithfully pursuing your One may cost you something—comfort, time, social capital, or something more.
- 2. Pray for the eternal perspective Paul describes—the ability to endure temporary difficulty because you're focused on what will last.
- 3. Bring before God any specific situation where being faithful to your One feels costly right now. Ask for courage, clarity, and trust in His sovereign purpose.
I WILL STATEMENT:
I will pray and share my life with my One
CLOSING PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, thank You for the cost You paid for me. Forgive me for valuing my comfort over the eternal wellbeing of those I love. Give me the faith to trust You when faithfulness feels costly. Help me remember Paul's words: that I know the One in whom I trust, and He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him. Whatever the cost—let it be worth it. Let it lead someone home to You. In Your name, amen.
PRAYER REQUEST:
Share your prayer request and pray for others.