
Standing Strong through Persecution
Finding encouragement, faith and hope in the face of suffering and persecution
From the Strengthen magazine issue:
Finding encouragement, faith and hope in the face of suffering and persecution
Have you, or someone you care for, gone through a very painful experience? When people go through trauma, especially because of violence or persecution, their hearts can feel broken, confused, and even far from God. In this situation, people may feel helpless and abandoned.
This little exercise (the God Sees Me journal) is not going to fix everything, but it may help bring some light and encouragement into your life. It is simply a place to be honest, express pain, and slowly remember that God still sees you and cares for you—even when it doesn’t feel like it. It is based on Christian counseling and the truth of the Bible.
You don’t need to write a lot. You don’t need perfect words. All you need is a few minutes each day to sit with God and be yourself.
Sometimes, it’s hard to pray or read the Bible after trauma. This journal gives space to feel, to cry, and even to say “I don’t understand”—and still know that God is near.
“You have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul.” (Psalm 31:7)
You will need:
Take a deep breath. Let your shoulders relax. Whisper quietly:
“God, I believe You see me. Help me today.”
Choose one prompt to help you begin:
You can write a sentence or just one word. You can even draw something. There is no wrong way to do this.
You may choose one of these verses:
You can pray something like this:
“Dear God, I don’t understand everything. But I believe You see me. Please stay close to me. Amen.”
Healing from trauma takes time. It’s okay to move slowly. It’s okay to feel weak. This journal is not about performance—it’s about presence. Your presence with God. His presence with you.
Even on days when there are no words, just opening this journal is a step of faith.
And remember:
You are not alone. God sees you. He holds your tears. As you keep practicing with this simple journal, you or the person you’re caring for will feel the gentle love of God again.
Here are more bible verses to encourage you:
A short study on Daniel 3 exploring how courageous faith in the midst of persecution reveals God’s presence and brings Him glory.
Mobile phones and other devices are a wonderful way to stay connected and find encouraging resources to strengthen your faith, but it can come with risks.
After losing everything to a rebel attack in 2020, Pastor Taban started a brick-moulding business to slowly rebuild his life and support his family and community.