The following devotional is from my Christian brother Aurelio Barreto, who is the founder and CEO of c28.com.  If you haven’t seen his clothing you really need to check it out!  Big thanks to Aurelio for taking the time to write some words for this site, we are very grateful!

Do you truly “believe” you are a child of God, or do you entertain the doubts in your head? When I read and meditate on the following scriptures, I can either focus on how weak my faith is, or I can choose to receive the fact that I belong to God, and that He is my father. Is my “Christian Walk” dependent on circumstances and thus tainted with fears, or do I walk in the Spirit of God, full of God’s assurances? Do I trust God’s word, or do I trust the lies in my mind? The bottom line is that whether we believe it or not, by faith in Jesus we become children of God, and grander yet heirs of God and coheirs with Christ!

“For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” Romans 8:15-17

When will we trust in the complete love of God for us? The love that is not dependent on “how good I am”, but rather on the fact that Jesus is good and it was Him who conquered death and rose from the grave to give us life!!! By our faith in Jesus we are God’s children, end of discussion! And if we are God’s children, and Jesus suffered for us, we can also persevere through trials believing that Jesus suffers along with us.

It is amazing to grasp the reality that when we suffer, Jesus actually suffers with us! How very comforting indeed to know that Jesus weeps with us. What an amazing and  compassionate God! ”Jesus wept” 11:35 When you are hurting, know that Jesus is with you, and in complete fellowship with you. Try not to forget this  ”Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows,…” Isaiah 53:4

When you are hurting it does not always mean you are being punished by God, it is just part of life. If you are struggling, please understand and believe that you are not alone, and that Jesus loves you and is with you. Invite Jesus to join you in whatever trial you are going through today, and He will do so. God loves you!!!