Overcoming Suffering

38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 8:38-39 (TNIV)


“I can’t believe my cousin had told my aunt that I said those things,” lamented a friend over the phone.

Her cousin was diagnosed with an illness. She called to try to comfort him. Instead, her words became like a sword that pierced and wounded her cousin’s heart. Because of what he was going through that he knew was just the start of his suffering, he must have misunderstood the meaning behind my friend’s words. Instead of feeling comforted, he got very upset and chose to distance himself from his cousin since.

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Co-workers knew the battle I had been in at my workplace for over a year now. The process I took of fighting for myself would be like a snail’s pace. Slow…but it would still come. They knew the trial I was in was not that easy for no one dared to fight. Most of the nurses who people in higher positions disliked, ended up exiting the prison’s door, ending their career as Correctional Nurses. I knew I would suffer. It would be difficult to face those Goliaths. But like David, I knew I wouldn’t be alone.

I woke up this morning, my spirit feeling low knowing so many people around me and including myself, faced trials or sufferings. I wandered to the Book of Job. Knowing how much this man had gone through but despite him facing the worst calamities of life, he chose to never wane his faith and belief in one, true God. I wanted to not waver in my faith, too. Sometimes, it was not easy. I think I focused more on the wounds in my heart and that of others I loved. I saw myself with his cries:

“What are mere mortals, that you should make so much of us? For you examine us every morning and test us every moment. Why won’t You  leave me alone – even for a moment? Have I sinned? What have I done to You, O Watcher of all humanity? Why have You made me Your target? Am I a burden to You? Why not just pardon my sin and take away my guilt? For soon I will lie down in the dust and die. When You look for me, I will be gone.” – Job 7:17-21 (NLT)

I stopped in the middle of those verses. I felt a conviction stirred inside of me. Why did those questions sounded like God was Job’s enemy? For He surely never felt that way for me. I don’t believe that God is amused when one is facing life’s toughest storms.

Like Job who hungered to know the reasons why bad things happened to him, it is by gaining wisdom that a person can truly understand why bad things happen. Even to good people. So, where does wisdom come from?

Job answered himself: “But do people know where to find wisdom? Where can they find understanding? For it is hidden from the eyes of all humanity. Even the sharp-eyed birds in the sky cannot discover it. But Destruction and Death say, ‘We have heard a rumor of where wisdom can be found.’ (Job 28:20-22,NLT)

“God surely knows where it can be found, for he looks throughout the whole earth, under all the heavens. He made the winds blow and determined how much rain should fall. He made the laws of the rain and prepared a path for the lightning. Then, when he had done all this, he saw wisdom and measured it. He established it and examined it thoroughly. And this is what he says to all humanity:

The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding.’” – Job 28:23-28 (NLT) -emphasis is mine...

I don’t know why bad things happen to good people. We are limited with answers. But God is not. He is the Source of wisdom. If He is, then I must continue to respect and revere Him because that’s only the beginning…Of finding true wisdom that this world doesn’t know…Because when one is able to find true wisdom, he can see bad things as opportunities instead to turn to God, the One Who knows everything, for strength and to be able to endure. When he can trust God when in pain, confusion, loneliness, depression, then he can win the victory and repel the darts of doubt that the devil throws to those who love God.



"I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." - John 16:33(NLT)

22 comments:

  1. Sometimes it can feel like God is not with us and so far away. The last few years I have felt that all hell was coming at me and God had turned His back on me. The truth is God was always there. I still don't know why some thing happen, but I know God has a greater plan than I can see this side of heaven. I know your faith is strong and God will see you though. Hang on sister, God is with you.

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    1. Thank you sister... That's always my prayer...for Him to increase my faith. At times that it seems to want to lessen, that's when He shows up & shows me many faith markers through events or people. Then I know...He truly never leaves us nor forsake us.

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  2. I always wonder at the way in which God works things out in many through some pressure. I is in part to forms us, in part sometimes to help us to learn Him, in part, His gracious chastening. His grace is sufficient.

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    1. Greetings! And thank you for visiting bro. David...Through trials I know I can choose to either face it alone or draw nearer to Him Who knows and sees it all. What better way than to go for the latter & know that I always have the advantage, no matter what comes my way because of God. Glory be to God!

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  3. Someday, perhaps in eternity, we will better understand why certain things & some sufferings were so pivotal in our walk with the Lord. Like you, I often come up short on answers about why some things happen as they do. Also like you, I've made my peace with the fact that life is not fair, and that God truly does have a way of weaving all the tough & ugly stuff into the good plans He has for me. What a faithful God have we!

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    1. I'm just grateful for His promise that in His place, there's no more sorrow, no more pain, etc...etc..May we endure...

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  4. Hi rcubes, This is humbling when we have to be faced with the reality that bad things still happen to good people.

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    1. Sin...marred everything...Just thankful for His saving grace sister...

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  5. That's the key-trusting Him through the Pain, confusion, depression-and allowing Him to give the victory. Well said, as always.

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    1. Thank you sister Peggy but He is the One Who always teaches me to keep trusting in Him alone...Because He is the way, the truth and the life!

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    1. Glory be to God! Blessings to you sister!

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  7. As Christians, we were never promised an easy life. But this isn't our real home, we're just passing through. And along the way, we have the opportunity to shine His light in the darkness. From all I've read on your blog over the past year or so, I would have to say you do shine His light in a very dark place. One day we will look back and time will have no meaning. It will be like a blink of an eye. These are some of the things that comfort me. I hope they comfort you my friend.

    blessings and love,
    Debbie

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    1. Thank you for your encouragement and yes, His faithfulness and true promises always wipe out the worries that otherwise would be residing for a while in my heart. God bless.

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  8. what a perfect picture. And great song. This too Rosel....shall pass and become just a memory. Your strength and hope and courage will never die. Hope you have a gentle day out there today. hugs to you.

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    1. That picture reminds me "how impossible" for me to win against something as big as that huge guy...But what's bigger than the God we serve? So glory be to God! God bless sister.

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  9. Trusting Him and having faith and hope is the key. Hard as it seems, this is the only way to go. Thank you for sharing Rosel. Blessings.

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    1. Amen...What can go wrong if we choose to believe even if we don't see? But He is the One Who sees it all.

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  10. I don't know why words given in love are filtered into something else. Maybe it is really all about training a heart to look for good in words instead of bad, thinking about where someone is coming from instead of just from our own one-dimensional perspective. A friend one said, who has sense gone home to be with the Lord, he said about bad things happening in his life, "We can chose to handle this with God or without God. I choose to go it with God."

    Wishing you blessings friend! I just started a full-time job so I am learning to adjust my schedule for visiting. Know that you are in my prayers:)

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    1. Congratulations on the new job sister! I'm grateful for your visit and especially, your prayers! Thank you...God bless you.

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  11. Came by just to tell you I am supporting you in prayer as you face your job situation. Hugs.

    Jesus Calling

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"Faith is taking the first step even if you don't see the whole staircase..."
~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

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