Does the world seem more painful than peaceful? Has life thrown you a curve ball? Is someone you love crushed with
suffering?
Together let's explore what God teaches us in His Word about
suffering and pain. As we take this
journey together, we will ask God to give us some understanding of why we
suffer here on earth. We will seek to
draw nearer to our Savior through our pain.
My prayer is that God will reveal His purpose to you through your
trials. And above all else, my passion
is for you to come to know Him deeply as the God who really does care.
God really
cares? Are you sure? For that is not what the world tells
us. That is not what culture tells
us. That is often even not what our
churches or other Christians tell us.
We are more likely to hear comments such as these:
“You must have done something to rouse the wrath of
God. God uses these things to punish
us. What is God punishing you for? What is God trying to tell you?”
“God never wants anyone to suffer. Just believe it, and claim the victory over
your suffering!”
“The Bible says to be joyful in everything and to give
thanks in everything. Are you thanking
God for this situation?”
“You are suffering because your faith is just not
strong enough.”
“Cheer up. It could be whole lot worse.”
What
sorts of comments have you heard? Have
they been helpful – or have they driven you further from God? I would love to hear from you.
It was 11 years ago in a service when I heard Pastor Tom say the “God love us, we are His children and He wants the best for us” that I finally believed and was saved by His grace. No one understands our suffering but another who has walked in our shoes. Those who have not suffered yet, are not anointed to help others. In this week’s reading of suffering and emotions I felt like I was broken and yet glued back together but not yet whole if that makes any sense. I just saw this new music video from Casting Crowns and wanted to share it. It’s called “Broken Together”. May God bless those of us on this journey that we grow and learn the truth He has for us, in Jesus name, Amen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAAvPDgKf30
ReplyDeleteIt's not anonymous, healing can't come until we shine a light on a dark place!
DeleteDear Courageous Woman Triumphing Over Suffering,
DeleteI can totally relate: broken and yet glued back together but not yet whole. I recall a pastor saying that we are like clay jars, broken and glued back together, with the Light of Jesus inside -- and that Light can only shine through the cracks.
I listened to "Broken Together." I do love Casting Crowns, but I wonder about this line: "Maybe you and I were never meant to be complete, could we just be broken together?" God's Word tells us we are complete in Christ (Col 1:28 and 1 Th 5:23) -- I think these verses mean that we are already complete in Him, and we are living out our completeness, step by step, as we grow up in Him.
Lori is right: we invite God to heal us when we come into the Light, when we enter into truth, completely honest about the depth of our pain -- and our sinful response to that pain. God will not work in deception, for He is Light and in Him there is no shifting shadow.
He is healing you, Courageous Woman Triumphing Over Suffering, and also Lori and me and all of us in class -- healing us through to completion as we seek Him fervently. He has reached down from heaven and is holding your right hand, saying, "Do not fear. I will help you." (Isaiah 41:13)
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