Michelle's journal 2025 "counting it all joy"

A small group of us recently returned from a trip to North Africa and the Middle East where we met with amazing men and women of God living amid conflict and persecution for their faith. As we heard their compelling stories of faithfulness to God despite their troubles, we were encouraged in our faith. 


One such story is of a family in the West Bank who is serving God by ministering to the Muslim people. They help distribute much-needed food packages and share the message of salvation through Jesus.


This family who now lives in Bethlehem, once lived in Gaza until the head of the Bible society in Gaza was tortured and killed in 2007. They felt their lives were in danger, so they fled to Bethlehem. In March 2024, Mai, a wife and mother to three girls, shared about her struggle with anger over the current conflict.

We met again with this precious family during this year’s trip, and Mai told us of a change of heart that has happened since we saw her in March 2024. She told us how Jesus showed her that she is experiencing oppression in the same land by the same people as Jesus. Her joy was apparent as she talked of her new appreciation of suffering. 


Her story reminds me of these scriptures: Acts 5:41, “Then they left the presence of the council (Peter and the apostles), rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name” and Luke 6:22-23, “Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven.” 

God is using difficult trials to change her and make her more like Christ. Her changed heart encourages me to see how God has worked in her life, giving her joy, even in the most difficult of times. Even though her life is hard now, her reward will be great in heaven! I’m so grateful to have witnessed this change in heart, and I pray that her experience serves to embolden me and other Christians to speak about salvation in Jesus, counting it all joy when we experience trials of various kinds.