There are many that never gave up on God, no matter what happened to them. In such cases, they don't drink for sake of partying. They do not use tobacco to be cool. They don't over eat because they like to be fat.

And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of earth. (Hebrews 11:36-38)

When you have lost everyone and everything you have ever loved or placed any faith in (other than God), until another Comforter comes, (while experiencing your own individual hell) He does not leave you comfortless. (John 14:16-21)

Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this children of God are manifest, and children of devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. For this is message that ye heard from beginning, that we should love one another. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous. (I John 3:9-12)

Fourthly, their distress was not caused by their sin, but other's.

Perhaps we have forgotten that Jesus was, likewise, accused. (Matthew 11:19)

And he made his grave with wicked, and with rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and pleasure of Lord shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with great, and he shall divide spoil with strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with transgressors; and he bare sin of many, and made intercession for transgressors. (Isaiah 53:7-12)

and that those who suffer with Christ will be glorified with Him. (Romans 8:17)

Therefore judge nothing before time, until Lord come, who both will bring to light hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest counsels of hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. (1 Corinthians 4:5) Blessed is man to whom Lord will not impute sin.

Romans 4:8

But he knoweth way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. Job 23:10

© 2004 by Joyce C. Lock http://my.homewithgod.com/blessingsandlessons/ This writing, as well as all of Joyce C. Lock's writings, may be individually used, in their entirety, with credits in tact; for non-profit ministering purposes.

a better position to know what it is you want from your life work. Looking within and knowing oneself is one of first steps to finding what you want to be doing as work in world. Part of this seeking is

aligning oneself with their Higher Power each day. How does one do this? By quieting mind and seeking within

answers to life's questions. Then taking what one learns out into

everyday life for meditation is but a waste of time if we do not take

action. Using ideas of there is an abundance in this universe takes away

the fear and allows us to see that we do not have to compete or compare

ourselves to anyone else. There is enough for everyone. You may do

same work as someone else but you will do it in your own unique way. We must be what we ask for. What does this mean in workplace it

means if we want respect, recognition, appreciation we must give these

things to others. By being all that you ask for you will create

environment and relationships that you want in your work.

"The voyage of discovery lies not in finding new landscapes, but in

having new eyes." Marcel Proust Having proper perspective is an important part of working. As we

perceive a thing to be is how it will be. In other words what we expect

from our work we will receive.

If we are living spiritual values throughout our lives work will just

be another place where we find Joy.