Finding Grace in Suffering
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."1
These past few years have represented significant losses for many people. Turning the page on the calendar to better days has been easy for some, but maintaining hope has proved nearly impossible for others. Anticipating new beginnings, better days ahead, fulfillment, and recovery can be difficult as the months go by without painful situations and relationships being resolved.
When you go through seasons of pain, how do you deal with it? Do you avoid suffering or uncomfortable situations because you know they can drown you in doubt and kill your own sense of hope?
Reviewing and remembering God's goodness, and contemplating all the ways He has provided for us is a good thing, but God's goodness does not simply reside in our blessings, some of the most joyful and fulfilled people are those who are dealing with disappointment, grieving great losses, and struggling with suffering.
Do you think trials and tribulations could also reveal something of God's goodness in your life? Could the pain, problems, and daily hustle and bustle lead you to a deeper understanding and a richer relationship with Jesus?
The answer is found in verse 4 of today's passage: "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."
This specific word, "blessed," can refer to being viewed favorably by God. Naturally, when we are struggling and suffering, the last thing we can imagine is that we are being favored. On the contrary, we feel forgotten.
Until we decide to surrender in our struggle, and recover by entering into God's presence and rest, it will be impossible for us to secure ourselves in the sovereignty of the Lord during our seasons of weeping and suffering.
Yes, it is possible to experience God's goodness in our pain. We can find Jesus' presence when we feel that his goodness is absent and engage with him, even when we struggle to understand why we are living through all this.
Your disappointment can become a doorway to deeper intimacy and connection with God. You can be filled with His love in the midst of your suffering, you can let your pain lead you to the very goodness of God, where we find not only comfort and renewal of our hope, but also where God reveals His sovereignty to us and invites us to surrender.
In God's presence, what seems already buried, barren, and broken can miraculously grow and break through. So, don't be discouraged, decide to fight in faith, nourish your hope, and find God's presence in the midst of your pain.
Suggested Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, thank you that you call me blessed and consider me yours. Grant that I may experience your blessing even in brokenness, and that I may commit myself to feel you every day in my life. In Jesus' name, Amen.
1. Matthew 5:4.
Today's Encounter was written by: Rosina N.
All articles on this website are written by
Richard (Dick) Innes unless otherwise stated.