Suffering Successfully预览

Perception in Suffering

I thought I would “feel a certain way” when my mama passed away. I had no thoughts whatsoever on how I might feel if a grandchild passed away. It was inconceivable that the latter would occur in my lifetime.

There were no thoughts whatsoever on how It would feel to lose a grandchild. It was incomprehensible to me, and it certainly wasn't fathomable that I would find out both depths within a couple of weeks of each other by February 16, 2024. But here I am, muddling through the nightmare.

I am learning that perception in the beginning and middle of suffering is very muddled.

The dictionary says that Perception means,

“The ability to see, hear, or become aware of something through the senses.”

I can honestly say that all five senses are touched when great adversity and suffering occur.

Heavy suffering can be very different than imagined. It can be much harder than anything you’ve ever had to bear. A piece of you seems to leave when you suffer great adversity. There’s a gaping hole that nothing and no one but God can heal.

Knowing God’s Word, we must agree with Him and thank Him for being acquainted with our sorrow. Proper perception is an acknowledgment of His Sovereignty. I get great comfort that sweeps over me when I thank God for this (Isa. 53:3, 2 Sam. 7:22).

Outward expressed gratitude to God in the middle of your storm changes everything. Especially the perception of your circumstance or situation (Heb 12:28).

In my pain, my heart has felt like it’s in a million pieces, bleeding and scattering in the wind, and I can’t seem to collect all the pieces back to myself, but it’s only by the Grace of God that my head stays above these deep waters, and so can yours in your suffering.

PERCEIVE The Lord with you and absorb His Precious Promises, friend. (Isa. 43:2)

When I flood my mind and heart with God’s Word, my perception changes constantly into a healthier one. Not that I will ever forget my mama or my granddaughter, but I can choose to start shifting my focus (perception) on why I am here and what God has for me to do until He takes me Home to see them again.