How To Move Through Suffering And Come Back StrongerSample

Donna Gibbs:  How to Move Through Suffering and Come Back Stronger Devotional Day 6

Honest to God

Scripture: Psalm 51

Once we understand the connections between our suffering, our thoughts, our emotions, and our behaviors, we are in a position to make intentional changes toward growth. This beautiful transformation begins with our first step: acknowledging our suffering. This step facilitates an amazing journey in gaining freedom and resilience. 

You may be thinking, That sounds great, but how do I acknowledge my suffering? What does that look like? Acknowledging your pain just means you call it what it is. Don’t back away from using the words that best identify your experience. If it was rape, call it rape. If it is cancer, call it cancer. If it was suicide, call it suicide. If it is infertility, call it infertility. If it was an affair, call it an affair. Acknowledge your suffering now, and acknowledge it accurately. Don’t sugarcoat it. Don’t excuse it. Don’t minimize it. Don’t exaggerate it. Be honest. Speak of the emotional impact. If you’re discouraged, say it. If you’re sad, admit it. If you’re heartbroken, acknowledge it. If you’re scared, verbalize it. No, this doesn’t mean you have to rehash every graphic detail. This is not designed to be punishment. Quite the contrary. 

Everyone is different, so naturally some people prefer certain methods of acknowledgment over others. Some may literally speak out loud and acknowledge their suffering in the privacy of their homes or on the top of a secluded mountain. Some may prefer to process their acknowledgment with a trusted friend, pastor, or counselor. Others may journal. 

For an acknowledgment to be effective, you must speak it to yourself and speak it to God. God may or may not lead you to also confidentially acknowledge your suffering to another person. If He does, then trust that He will help you and obey His urging.

Similar to when you take off a Band-Aid, you’re going to feel the sting. But the sting will diminish. The grief of the acknowledgment will subside, and when it does, it will open the door for you to begin to bounce back. Once the pain is acknowledged, you will find some relief, some hope. You need this step to begin building resilience, so prepare now to take this risk. 

How would you honestly describe your suffering? Why do you think it makes a difference to acknowledge the pain you are in?