Earlier this year I participated in an online bible study on Philippians. After the study during my prayer time I asked God to help me to be able to suffer well. Ask and you shall receive, or as the millennial's would phrase it- Say less! In the span of a few short months I have suffered physically, mentally, and emotionally. Like most people 2020 is not going at all how I have expected. My prayer is that by sharing parts of my experience, I can help encourage someone else.
“All praises belong to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he is the Father of tender mercy and the God of endless comfort. He always comes alongside us to comfort us in every suffering so that we can come alongside those who are in any painful trial. We can bring them this same comfort that God has poured out upon us.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4.
I have learned a lot during the season that I’m in but wanted to share 3 fundamental truths in hopes to encourage anyone else who may be in a season of suffering.
God is sovereign.
I’ll say it louder for the people in the back- GOD IS SOVEREIGN! There are so many verses that we can lean on but my favorite passage is Romans 8:28-30. Not only can I rest in the fact that ALL things work together for good, but God foreknew me. God had a plan for my life before I was even in my mother’s womb. When suffering it can be easy to lose sight of this, but it doesn’t change the fact that it’s true. God has a plan and it will bring Him glory, so keep trusting, keep hoping, keep moving. (Jeremiah 29:11, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Ecclesiastes 7:14, Psalms 139:14, Colossians 1:16-17)
He wants it ALL!
As crazy as it may sound I used to operate from this mindset that I couldn’t share all of my emotions with Christ. I had no problem asking for the desires of my heart, showing gratitude, or praying for others. But when it came to my struggles or the days when I was angry, worried, or sad it was as if I felt he couldn’t handle it. When it’s quite the opposite! Christ Himself has suffered, been tempted, and felt pain greater than I’ve experience, so why wouldn’t He understand. , Hebrews 4:15-16 “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are- yet He did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Not only does He understand when I’m hurting, angry, confused, etc. but He provides a peace to remedy all that and more. (Philippians 4:6-7, 1 Peter 5:6-11, Psalms 34:17-19, Hebrews 2:18)
His grace is sufficient.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” Ephesians 2:8 God’s grace is what has saved me, and it is that same grace that carries me through life- the good, the bad, the ugly. In Phillip Yancey’s book, “Where is God When it Hurts” he states, “We are not put on earth merely to satisfy our desires, to pursue life, liberty, and happiness. We are here to be changed, to be made more like God in order to prepare us for a lifetime with him.” Regardless of what people may say God does not promise us a life of sunshine and rainbows but guarantees that we will face trials and suffer. But when I am weak, He is strong. It is during the trials of life, that God has done His best work. There’s no self-help book, Ted Talk, or therapist that can replace the completion of God’s grace. It has and always will be enough. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Titus 2:11-14, Titus 3:4-7, Romans 5:17)
If I can be completely honest, I’m still in the middle of a storm. I know that the trial I’m facing is making my faith stronger and preparing me for what God has planned for my life. Most days I’m at peace and honestly some days are hard. But what I know for certain is - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Love,
Nanci
Guest Contributor: Nanci Johnson is a Christian woman that is passionate about helping others. She has been fortunate enough to have a career that allows her to do just that as a Human Resources Business Partner, where she provides consultative services to Small Business Owners. She also loves art, exercising, spending time with family, and trying new restaurants.
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