My Journal Day 2- Let Us Embrace Our Crosses
- Administrator
- Jun 3
- 6 min read
May 28, 2025
Hello Brothers and Sisters and dear family. Today is the 13th of May 2025, my second day in complete solitude with the Lord. Why am I in Solitude? I have no idea at all. All I know is the Lord asked me into it and definitely, no time spent with Jesus is ever wasted. However, for months now, deep in my heart I have [had] this unsettling feeling there is something hindering me, and it needed to break so that I could enter into a deeper walk with Jesus.
I have always been amazed with these words in the Bible that say…
"And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him. - Genesis 5
And the next scripture,
"But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit" -1 Cor 6:17.
Lastly, the scripture that says,
"For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified." -Heb 10:14.
Yes, guys in the eyes of the Father the sacrifice of Jesus has made us perfect but there is a " Sanctification" being wrought deep in our souls by the Holy Spirit to make us look like Jesus. But something in our old nature fights back. The Making of Jesus, if could use that phrase, was a painful process both for the Father and Jesus thus it is for all His true disciples since the First Century...
To me, the word sanctification means the progressive work of God to make a believer more like Jesus Christ.
Our works in Christ like intercession, teaching, shepherding, prophesying, and all other works are by-products of a relationship with Jesus. It should not be the other way round otherwise we suffer shipwreck in our faith.
So, I believe my 21-day Solitude is part of my sanctification. There is a prayer I made on my first night. I asked Jesus, in his infinite mercy, to flush out all the rubbish I have accumulated in my soul for all these decades, and anything that offends Him.
Strongholds of Pride and self-will need to be decimated in my soul. These strongholds are "ancient", if I may say so, in me, and need the grace of the Lord Himself, to be destroyed. These two have led me to unnecessary misery and many a time subtle rebellion against the Lord causing unnecessary suffering to my loved ones, especially my children. When you are a father or mother one needs to be careful, very careful on how you cooperate with the workings of the Lord in one’s life because you have dependants. Restraint, patience, and godly wisdom are very important to cultivate, as a father or mother.
So, I spent my first, night vigil in the presence of the Most Holy Sacrifice, in repentance and abandonment to Jesus, emptying myself, surrendering my sins and miseries to His Sacred heart.
After having a rest this morning, I continued reading the Diary of Saint Faustina. My readings for this day were on point with what was going on in my soul. Good medicine.
Mother Faustina says
"At the beginning of my religious life, suffering and adversities frightened and disheartened me. So, I prayed continuously, asking Jesus to strengthen me and to grant me the power of His Holy Spirit that I might carry out His Holy will in all things"
This reminded me of our first days in Ghana as missionaries it was very tough and, unfortunately for us, Mother Elisha left for the USA a few weeks after we arrived. Even though she tried her best to settle us before she left, still we faced trials and adversities that were very unexpected and difficult at that moment. We went through some very difficult circumstances which I now know the Lord allowed for our sanctification and for His Divine purposes. The worst was a spiritual attack Mother Caroline received while we were online with other Heartdweller Africa intercessors. Early in the morning, she suffered a Stroke, right in front of my eyes. Her face became completely distorted and she could not speak. But my Jesus, in his merciful Love, and goodness, within a few minutes of praying, restored her. Then again the enemy struck within 5 Minutes. Again, Heaven came through and there was no immediate visible, physical damage. We were being baptized into " Missionary Work", I guess.
Faustina continues,
"Sufferings, adversities, humiliations, failures, and suspicions that have come my way are splinters that keep alive the fire of love for you, o Jesus"
I paused and reflected on my life. In the past, the lord had set me up for humiliations and failures and they were confusing and painful periods. There were humiliations and failures that were triggered by my own poor judgment and sinful conduct but there are specific humiliations and failures that I never understood why I suffered because I was in obedience to the Lord. So, Sister Faustina says these are fuel the Lord injects to keep alive our love for Him.
She continues,
"Suffering is a great grace; through suffering the soul becomes like the savior; in suffering love becomes crystallized; the greater the suffering, the purer the love"
Lord have mercy. Is any of this scriptural? Yeah, guys, a couple of scriptures popped into my mind.
John 16:33
"In this world, you will have trouble...."
Acts 14:22
"We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,”
Colossians 1:24
I am glad when I suffer for you in my body, for I am participating in the sufferings of Christ that continue for his body,
That’s a good one. And James 1:4-6 says,
"My fellow believers, when it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest joy that you can! For you know that when your faith is tested it stirs up power within you to endure all things. And then as your endurance grows even stronger it will release perfection into every part of your being until there is nothing missing and nothing lacking."
I love that one… I will repeat that one part…
“…For you know that when your faith is tested it stirs up power within you to endure all things. And then as your endurance grows even stronger it will release perfection into every part of your being until there is nothing missing and nothing lacking."
No one enjoys suffering, but haven't you noticed, that some of the most faithful and beautiful souls we know in Christ suffer a lot? It's not punishment. It is sanctification of their souls. Each soul has a different Level of sanctification leading to different levels of suffering. Remember the scripture,
By one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified."
Heb 10:14
Secondly, Colossians 1:24 which is quoted above confirms these words of Jesus to Faustina This is what Jesus told Faustina
" You are not living for yourself but for souls and other souls will profit from your sufferings. Your prolonged suffering will give them the light and strength to accept my will."
Mother Faustina was praying for a priest who was faithful but undergoing a lot of hardship and Jesus said to her
"By day and night, My gaze is fixed upon him, and I permit these adversities in order to increase his merit. I do not reward for good results but for the patience & hardship endured"
Jesus, do you have something to tell your flock?
Jesus began
“My brides, I learned obedience through My suffering. Yes, there are many other reasons why souls suffer. Your world is imperfect, evil prevails in the hearts of men, but I allow this to help your souls to be formed in My image. I see all the sickness in your souls that can stop My will and purposes to be achieved. I see the defilement in souls that could hinder your entering My eternal rest. And, as a good mother would do, I allow trials into your life to heal you. What mother would not allow her child to be treated if they are ill? But do you think the child appreciates it then? What good father would not discipline his son to mold his character?
Does not My word say,
‘And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: My son, do not take lightly the discipline of the Lord, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you. For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives. (Heb 12:5-6).”
Jesus continues
“Abandon yourself moment by moment to what I allow in your life. There is always a special grace to be received in trials. Just surrender yourself and ask Me to help you. Even in your fall, there is a lesson.
My brides, you delay My work in you and your destinies, and many times miss My graces, joy, and peace in your lives because you resent and resist trials in your lives. Embrace your crosses.”
I heard in my spirit, "Iron sharpens iron," (Proverbs 27:17)
End of Message.
May the Lord help us to remain faithful in all things.
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