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Devotional | Teresa Peden | Apr 11, 2021
Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4 AMP
Who of us has not had times in our lives when everything was “smooth sailing”? During those times, we are feeling pretty self-sufficient—we are in “cruise control.” Then, when we least expect it, the bottom drops out of our world! We get a phone call that literally paralyzes us—we lose a loved one, we or a family member gets a scary diagnosis, there’s been a horrible accident … Suffering comes in all sizes, shapes, and forms.
That self-sufficiency goes by the wayside when we are in tremendous pain. We are suddenly crying out to God and relying on him more than we ever have in our lives. As much as we avoid suffering like the plague, it is an essential part of God’s transforming process of making us more like him.
If it requires pain and endurance to be more like Jesus, much of our culture today would say, “I’m out!” The apostle Paul was imprisoned over and over, beaten with rods, slandered by his enemies, flogged with lashes, stoned almost to death, deprived of food, water, shelter, and sleep, yet he was filled with joy and learned to be content in all circumstances. In the midst of our pain, when we lean further into Jesus, he can comfort us and lead us into the place where we experience peace that passes all understanding.
As I write this devotion, I am yet facing one more small hurdle in my cancer journey. The old song that keeps repeating in my head is, “Purify my heart, Lord. Let me be as gold—pure gold. Refiner’s fire—my heart's one desire is to be holy, set apart for you, Lord.” My prayer is that I can sacrifice this time as a praise offering to Jesus and let him use this experience to help me better identify with those around me who are suffering.
Even though we resist going through suffering and we often ask God, “Why?”, there are two things I truly believe. First is that “you can trust God to write your story,” and second is that “anything that makes me need God is a blessing.” Both of these quotes are from one of my favorite authors and speakers, Nancy Leigh DeMoss Wolgemuth. I love listening to her daily podcasts at reviveourhearts.com/podcast.
Another favorite author, Elisabeth Elliott, who came to Crossings to speak years ago, says: “Everything that happens fits into a pattern for good. Suffering is never for nothing.” You can listen to her series on suffering on Revive Our Hearts right here. Suffering Is Never for Nothing eventually became the title of Elisabeth Elliot’s last of many books, published after her death in 2015.
Dear Lord,
You know each person who is reading this devotion today and exactly what type of suffering and heartache they are going through—grief through loss of a loved one, a broken relationship, physical illness, depression, loss of a job, financial needs, abandonment, loneliness, desire for a child, fear and anxiety … You know and care about every detail of their lives.
Lord, I thank you that you are the God of all comfort. I pray that in the midst of their pain, they will sense your presence and know you will never leave them or forsake them—you are truly “our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.” Please carry them through this time of suffering, draw them near to you, and help them to see you at work even in the middle of their brokenness.
Lord, I thank you that even if we are questioning “why” and may even be upset with you, you give us mercy and understanding. I pray for those who are hurting, that they will call out your name, Jesus. I pray they will choose to trust you no matter what and stand on your promises.
I pray, Lord, that in the midst of their suffering you would send someone to walk alongside them—someone who will exude your love, grace, and acceptance—and they will be able to receive all you have for them. Anywhere they have built up walls of isolation to protect themselves, Lord, I pray that those walls will come tumbling down!
Help them to know without a doubt, Lord, you never waste a hurt, and they can trust you to write their story.
In the powerful and precious name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
Amen.
Teresa Peden
Pastor of Recovery Ministry
tpeden@crossings.church