Suffering

When your heart is heavy to the breaking point for loved ones and there is no relief in sight; when solutions are not forthcoming; when despair begins to set in as hope fades; when the well of plenty has gone dry; when the creditors are knocking at the door, what then?  Darkness has set in and all you want is a little ray of light to beam down to enable you to see even the slightest glimpse of the way through the pit you’ve found yourself in.  You struggle just to make it through the next minute, let alone the rest of the day.  But somehow the day has ended and you lay on your bed desperate for sleep that will provide a few hours of respite from the agonizing you have been going through.

Your only recourse is to reach out to God in the hopes He will come to your rescue.  But how often have you done that and the struggles continue, with little to no indication of liberation from the suffering?  Still you hang on to His promise that He will keep you and give you strength.  The only thought that comes to the forefront of your mind is the story of Job and what he said, “Though He slay me, yet I will trust in Him.”  But why is it taking so long?  How much longer can I continue to trust Him when I’m still in the depths of anguish?  I’m about to give up!

How does one give encouragement to those agonizing through such circumstances?  What can you do when you’re separated by distances that keep you apart?  You have so much compassion for the one in pain but your hands are tied and there’s nothing you can do except to impart some words that will hopefully encourage them with enough resolve to hang tough just a little longer.  Prayer is the only alternative in such situations, but quite often it seems not enough.  What are we to do when we see the one going through such despair has given up?

That is when we must step in for them and trust God on their behalf.  We must not waver in our faith in God, even though we suffer with them.  In spite of the hopelessness that looms in all directions we look, we must have the resolve that God will surely come through.  We cannot look to the right or to the left, up ahead or behind, we must only look to God for the solution and trust Him to deliver it.

Sometimes the answers that come seem at first not to be the solution.   This deepens our confusion and brings frustration.  It is in these times we are to trust God all the more and be patient before Him for the understanding will be revealed in due season.  It’s important to never give up even in the bleakest of hours, for there will come a breakthrough, even if it is not what was expected.

For those suffering continue to put your trust in the Lord first and foremost.  Ask for understanding, wisdom and peace through your distress.  Perhaps repentance is needed or simply a deepening of your faith.  Reach out to others who will come along side and give their support, whether it is in person or through prayer.  Just never give up.

For those who are giving support to the needy do it with a heart of compassion.  Give words of encouragement and comfort, not as a “mantra” but words filled with sincerity and kindness.  Be in prayer for them, unwavering in your faith.  It may just be your faith that brings them through to victory.  Be vigilant and steadfast.  “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.”  Eph. 6:18

Shalom