Today’s reading from the Extreme Devotion daily devotional stopped me in my tracks.
This book is a 365-day collection of stories—from ancient times to the modern day—about believers who sacrificed everything for Christ. Not comfort. Not convenience. Everything.
Today’s story was about a young Christian woman named Saleema, living in Pakistan.
Her story is not easy to read—but it’s impossible to ignore.
A Story That Puts Things in Perspective
Saleema shared her faith with a schoolmate named Raheela. That simple act—talking about Jesus—changed both of their lives forever.
Raheela accepted Christ.
Soon after, her family accused Saleema of converting a Muslim—an accusation that can carry the death penalty in Pakistan. Saleema and her pastor were arrested. She was abused while in police custody, questioned, and pressured to deny her faith.
She refused.
While imprisoned, she sang Christian songs, hoping even then to draw others to Christ.
Raheela fled her home, but her family hunted her down. When she was given a final chance to recant her faith and return to Islam, she refused.
Her own family executed her.
Reading that sentence alone made me pause.
Faith That Isn’t Comfortable
When I think about difficult days in my own life, they usually involve stress, anxiety, frustration, or discouragement. Those struggles are real—but they are not this.
Stories like this force me to confront a hard truth:
In many parts of the world, following Jesus isn’t inconvenient—it’s dangerous.
For Saleema, faith meant arrest, abuse, loss of safety, and the constant threat of death. She was eventually forced to relocate to another part of Pakistan for her own protection.
And yet—her faith did not fade.
“No matter how big the mountain, Jesus will help you overcome.”
That kind of faith humbles me.
Carrying the Cross Looks Different for Everyone
Jesus told us to carry our cross—but that cross doesn’t look the same for everyone.
For some, it’s persecution.
For others, it’s rejection.
For some, it’s choosing obedience when silence would be easier.
For others, it’s living out faith quietly and consistently in everyday life.
Most of us will never face what Saleema faced—but that doesn’t mean our faith is meant to cost nothing.
Faith that never costs anything rarely changes anything.
Where Is My Mission Field?
One of the reflections in Extreme Devotion reminded me of something important:
Not every believer is called to another country—but every believer is called to be a missionary.
Sometimes our mission field is our family.
Sometimes it’s our workplace.
Sometimes it’s a neighbor or a friend.
Sometimes it’s simply living differently in a world that notices consistency more than words.
The location isn’t what matters.
The heart behind it does.
A Prayer for Perspective
Lord,
Give me a faith that isn’t dependent on comfort.
Give me courage to live openly, honestly, and obediently.
Help me never take for granted the freedom I have to worship, believe, and speak Your name.
Amen.
— Josh Bridges
YOU {R} NOT ALONE YOU HAVE A VOICE! 