Suffering

Suffering

We can do one of two things with suffering: we can absorb it and let it change us, or we can let it crush us. Suffering will change you, or it will crush you.

Jennie Allen

Suffering is a battleground for your soul. The book of Job is a reminder that when My people are hard pressed, they make a choice. Some curse Me, while others praise Me in the middle of their suffering. Job’s wife wanted him to curse Me and die, but Job responded, “‘Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?’ So in all this, Job said nothing wrong” (Job 2:9-10). When you’re suffering, you face difficult questions: “Why would a good God allow this horrible thing to happen? If God loves me, why wouldn’t He come and rescue me out of my pain?”

Your suffering can come in many ways—mentally, physically, emotionally, or spiritually. It throbs. It captures your thoughts. It wears you down and attacks your faith. When suffering comes, remember that you were never meant to bear the pain alone. “Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). If you turn to Me, I will comfort you in all of your troubles so that you can comfort others. As your friends go through troubled times, you will be able to give them the same comfort I gave you (2 Corinthians 1:4). Allow suffering to change you for the better.

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9, NIV