Today we will look at how God provides us with well-being, especially as we go through seasons of pain and suffering. Moreover, we can ask God: How can I find you when my soul is suffering?

Our hope is that Jesus longs to be with us in whatever situation we are going through. It's wonderful to know that we're not alone.

If I offered you any meal, which one would you choose? A big mountain of French fries, or maybe a giant ice cream cone? What if that meal was repeated every day and became the only dish you could eat? Would your choices change?

Although some of us stubbornly cling to French fries, most will be wiser. When it comes to preparing a dish for a lifetime, you know that you will need a nutritional balance in order to live healthily. That might mean you need to include veggies. A variety of foods is essential to ensure that you are prepared to live healthily.

The same applies when it comes to walking with God. Sometimes, it's easy to treat faith, and the Bible, as if we can pick and choose what we like best and ignore the rest. It may work for a while, but when life plays tricks on us, or if we've never balanced our spiritual diet or studied how suffering fits into our lives, we won't be prepared to deal with them.

The gospel message embodies every part of our lives, and that's great news! It perfectly maintains the tension of living in the kingdom of God within a desolate fallen world.

I invite you to address suffering, pain, and disappointment hand in hand with our Heavenly Father. He is always present in every stage we go through and offers us answers and instructions when we face pain and suffering.

The Bible teaches us how to find God in difficult times, however, we must be intentional and pay attention to it.

Today's passage is a moving and encouraging example. However, its context dates as one of the most painful books in the entire Bible, for a reason it is called Lamentations, where suffering and hope come together with starkness.

Such content is difficult to read, but it is reassuring. It is interesting to see that pain is not suppressed in Scripture. This fills us with hope because even in the most turbulent environments, God's mercy shines triumphantly and his light exists in the deepest and darkest places.

Christianity encompasses all aspects of the human experience, including yours and mine. Therefore, we should not be ashamed or afraid to hide our pain before God. We can confidently bring it before Jesus and we will find everything we need. What are you hiding from God today? These painful areas are like closed boxes in the soul and places that we don't want anyone to enter.

If you can, close your eyes and take a deep breath â€" make your way to one of those boxes. Jesus stretches out his hand and asks you for the keys. He wants to help you. He wants to heal you. Will you hand him the keys and let him in?

Suggested Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you that your mercies are new every morning, great is your faithfulness. I give you everything that I am struggling with, that causes me pain and suffering. Guide me Lord, give me wisdom and peace to overcome whatever life brings. Remind me that you are with me in everything I do. In Jesus' precious name, Amen.

1. Lamentations 3:22-26 (NIV).

Today's Encounter was written by: Rosina N.