When the Unthinkable Happens: A Journey Through SufferingНамуна

The Apostle Paul knew about suffering. He’d been battered and bruised on his missionary journeys, and he’d suffered from a physical/medical infirmity as well. He knew pain. How did he respond? He leaned into God even more, and the return on his investment was comfort.

2 Corinthians 1:4 teaches us something amazing. In addition to receiving indescribable comfort from God in our time of trial, there is a purpose in our pain. God wants us to put an arm around others who are going through trouble and offer them the same comfort we have received from Him. (Consider this devotional plan my arm.)

When I was at my sickest, my thoughts were pretty much focused on me. It’s a natural response when a person is injured or sick to think about their own pain. Yet, what does God want us to do? He wants us to draw near to Him for comfort and then extend it to others.

In my life, I’ve found that having a purpose beyond my little world lifts my spirits and gives me energy and vitality. It lifts the waves of depression that can so easily take hold.

Do you feel like your life has purpose? We’ll talk more about that later so stay tuned. In the meantime, if you’re hurting today from the many potholes on the road of your life, take heart. God has a good plan for you…even if you can’t imagine it now.

On the day I received the news that I had a fast-growing cancer, the Lord spoke to my heart these words of comfort:

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them”(Romans 8:28 NLT).

Through the years I’ve quoted this verse and taught it. This time God was challenging me with this question, “Do you just like to quote Romans 8:28, or do you actually believe it?”

What about you? Do you believe it?

Once I settled that question, God’s peace saturated my heart. Everything was going to be okay.

“The Lord’s mercy often rides to the door of our heart upon the black horse of affliction.” -Charles Spurgeon