SUFFERING

“O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever?

How long will you look the other way?

How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul,

with sorrow in my heart every day?

How long will my enemy have the upper hand?

Turn and answer me, O Lord my God!

Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die.

Don’t let my enemies gloat, saying, “We have defeated him!”

Don’t let them rejoice at my downfall.

But I trust in your unfailing love.

I will rejoice because you have rescued me.

I will sing to the Lord

because he is good to me.” (Psalm 13)

Life, we struggle internally between despair and hope. Jesus, our ultimate model, who understands our suffering, because He went through it all in the Garden of Gesthsemane as human. “And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39)

In our desperate moments, we cry out to God. We can rest, knowing in confidence and faith, that God will walk with us in the fire of deep emotional anguish. Through the momentary grief, God soon will shine His face upon you once again and redeem you back to life of restoration. 

 “Because we know that suffering produces perseverance, and perseverance, character, and character, hope.”

(Romans 5:3-5)