Faith-Full Thoughts on Suffering

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

1 Peter 5:10

First off, let’s be honest. No one likes to suffer. It’s painful. It’s discouraging. It’s just plain hard to wake up in the throes of grief, sorrow, and loss. And everyone knows it.

God promises us strength to meet every challenge

However, God wants every single one of his beloved children to know and understand some rock-solid simple truths. He wants us to learn to be overcomers even in the midst of our difficulties and trials.

We can learn to think differently about our troubles

How so? Throughout Scripture, we are reminded again and again that what we choose to think about will in large part affect how we feel. Think biblically and in time healthy emotional well-being will follow.

Learning to overcome is possible

So here are some foundational truths Jesus tells his followers to think about as we endure hard seasons in life.

1. Be present today. Do not peer into the future. Why? Jesus tells us that tomorrow has enough troubles of its own. Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6: 25-27, 34
2. Learn to be content. No matter what…it can always be worse. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed of hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4; 11-13
3. Accept the fact that we must go through the trial, not deny it, not escape it, not rush through it. My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have it perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and completed, not deficient in anything. James 1:2-4
4. Realize we are not in control of how long the journey through trials will last. Nor will we be in control of every outcome. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
5. Understand that we can have enduring joy even in the midst of the most painful circumstances. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13