Dear Fellow Doves,
I've noticed amongst the posts lately others saying that suffering amongst Christians seems to be increasing at a rapid rate (including ourselves).  I would say that it's Satan's "last attempt" to sway the righteous away for what would seem surely to be an escalating closeness of the awaited return of our beloved Saviour.
I identify with somebody who said they wanted to sleep a lot more, were becoming less interested in world events.  I identify with Steve Coerper about the suffering with financial  hardships.  It's happening everywhere - and it always seems to be the true Christians who are suffering the most.  I do not think it is the will of our Father that we suffer - I really do think it's a desparate last ploy attack by Satan.
After all - he doesnt need to bother much with non-Christians does he?
 
Personally I can identify with so many things - I'm suffering great financial hardship, I have lost interest in "the news" unless it has implications with prophecy, I am sooooooo tired all the time and if I tried I could probably sleep the rest of my life away!!  I am facing multiple temptations.  At the same time I am anxious that I will not be good enough "to go".  But then I read the words again that anyone who calls on the name of Jesus will be saved and I feel a great comfort.  Remember the second thief on the cross with Jesus?  A lifetime of sinning yet one simple repentance and Jesus told him that he would be with him in Paradise.
 
I guess in a muddled up way I am trying to say - it's worth it -every deprivation, every hardship, living in this world where we feel like we no longer belong - it's worth it for the long haul!!  For the opposite - to NOT be with Jesus in Heaven is unthinkable.
 
I would like to hear from anybody else who feels like they are quietly yet quickly "withdrawing" from the world?  Somehow I don't think I will be alone in this.  What does hurt is my desire to witness to others is also fading - it feels as if I need to get my own spiritual house in order - and gosh that sounds selfish.  I don't know how else to describe it - but everybody I have witnessed to lately is a mocker or a scoffer - nobody wants to know - they are caught up in "this world" as horrible as it is and they lose themselves in mindless babble spouting forth from a TV set.
 
Sometimes I think I cannot bear anymore - but once again I try my best to put on the full armour of Christ and just.....wait!!
 
God bless,
Susan in Australia.