How do I stay close to God in times of suffering?

Psalm 22:24He [the Lord] has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy. He has not turned his back on them, but has listened to their cries for help.

Isaiah 43:1-2Now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.”

We need to be aware that God has not abandoned us in times of suffering; he is standing with us during such times.

Lamentations 3:32-33Though he [the Lord] brings grief, he also shows compassion because of the greatness of his unfailing love. For he does not enjoy hurting people or causing them sorrow.

We need to recognize that God does not want to see us suffer. A loving God does not enjoy the suffering that comes our way. But his compassionate love and care will see us through our times of discipline and pain.

Matthew 17:12“But I tell you, Elijah has already come, but he wasn’t recognized, and they chose to abuse him. And in the same way they will also make the Son of Man suffer.”

Luke 24:26“Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?”

John 3:16“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”

We need to recognize that Jesus himself suffered for us. He suffered the agonies of the cross, which was not only incredible physical suffering, but he also bore the unthinkable weight of the sins of the world.

Romans 8:17-18Since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.

Hebrews 2:18Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.

Revelation 12:10-12Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, “It has come at last—salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth—the one who accuses them before our God day and night. And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die. Therefore, rejoice, O heavens! And you who live in the heavens, rejoice! But terror will come on the earth and the sea, for the devil has come down to you in great anger, knowing that he has little time.”

We need to recognize that suffering is not forever and will end when those who believe in Jesus are welcomed into heaven.

Psalm 126:5-6Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.

We need to recognize that suffering is not forever. In the dark hours of the night of suffering it is hard to think of a morning of joy and gladness. But the tears of our suffering are like seeds for our joy.