The Truth About Suffering (2 Timothy 3:10-12)

Today’s scripture: 2 Timothy 3:10-12

One of the greatest tragedies is when a person of faith experiences suffering or pain, and then turns his back on that faith. Somehow, he expected a joyful and peaceful life, and when things don’t happen according to his plan, he rejects God.

People like this clearly didn’t read the Bible. While we’re certainly promised a “peace that surpasses comprehension” (Phil 4:7) and joy, we’re also promised suffering. In fact, a great verse that talks about joy connects it directly with trials and tribulations (James 1:2).

Paul certainly experienced pain and suffering and persecution much worse than most of us will. Beaten. Shipwrecked. Imprisoned. Hunger. Thirst. (See 2 Cor.11:23-27.) Yet, he rejoiced in his sufferings. In 2 Corinthians 12, he wrote of a “thorn,” something that weakened him. It may have been a chronic illness, according to some scholars, but it was something that caused weakness. Even through whatever pain he experienced, he “took pleasure” (NKJV) or was “well content” (NASB) because he knew God was using that “thorn” to show His strength (vv. 7-10).

And if he hadn’t made it clear enough, he wrote to Timothy that “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”

But we’re not alone in our suffering. The Lord will rescue us. He will walk alongside us and carry us when we can’t even walk. Christ’s power dwells in us, just it did in Paul.

What are you experiencing today that’s shaken your faith? Chronic health issues? Loss of a loved one? Financial difficulties?

Don’t let your sufferings turn you away from the One stronger than any trial or persecution. No. Turn to Him. His “grace is sufficient.” In fact, it’s more than sufficient to get you through.

Words of Comfort (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)

Today’s scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

So many times I need comfort. Either I’m in pain or I’m lonely or I’m uncertain. And I just need someone to give me a hug.

And sometimes—oftentimes—I feel very weak. Physically. Emotionally. Spiritually. And I just need a bit more strength.

Guess what? I have the great Comforter as my Abba. I have the Giver of strength as my Savior.

I’m never alone. Never.

When I hurt, I can crawl into my Abba’s lap, and He’ll comfort me. When I’m lonely, I can cry out to Him, and He’ll wrap His arms around me. And when I’m uncertain, I can pray for His guidance, and He’ll lead me.

And when I just can’t get out of bed because my body is so very weak, I can lift my hand and ask, “Lord Jesus, please hold my hand just a little more tightly today.”

And He does.

Comfort from God; Comfort for Others (1 Thessalonians 3:6-7)

Today’s scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3:6-7

Yesterday, I looked at how wonderful it is that we Christ-followers encourage and pray for each other. Today, it’s all about comfort.

Each of us goes through our own peaks and valleys, and when we hit bottom, the best comfort comes from those who have walked similar paths. And then we in turn can comfort others.

Paul said it well, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (NKJV, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4).  I especially like the Contemporary English Version’s paraphrase of verse 4: “He comforts us when we are in trouble, so that we can share that same comfort with others in trouble.”

I know this is true in my life. God has given me such great comfort through the valleys of my life, and I am so blessed to be able to comfort others.

I’ve held the hand of a young woman crying because she isn’t pregnant. I’ve led a small group of women who are married to men who don’t share their faith. I’ve hugged those who suffer from physical pain.

It’s such a privilege to know God uses me to comfort others.  Just as He has comforted me.

Valleys and Mountaintops (Philippians 1:12-14)

Today’s scripture: Philippians 1:12-14

I in no way compare myself with the apostle Paul, but I do kind of relate to these verses. As I look back over my life, I can see how God has used the difficult times to encourage others. When I speak, I often talk about my experiences with abuse, infertility, and living with chronic pain. And invariably, several women come to me to tell me how they were encouraged by my story.

I’m sure it’s the same for you. If you’re a cancer survivor, you’re uniquely gifted to lend a shoulder to cancer patients. If you’ve lost a loved one, you can empathize with the grieving in a way that many of us could not. If you’ve prayed a wayward teen back to the arms of God, you can encourage other parents.

No, the “things that happen” to us aren’t always pleasant or joyful or peaceful. We will walk through valleys. But God will—if we let Him—use even the most painful times for good (Romans 8:28). Or as I wrote in my book, The Best Laid Plans:

… many times we can’t see God’s plan until we have the perspective of hindsight. I know from my own experience that what seemed so awful, so painful, so heartbreaking at the time, always resulted in growth, in maturity. I know that I wouldn’t be the person I am today without the times of challenge.

She couldn’t possibly know what I’ve been through, you’re thinking. I’ve experienced real evil, and she’s telling me that God promised plans without evil. Sounds contradictory at best—and a lie at worst.


… You’re right. I don’t know your life. I don’t know your pain. I don’t know what you’ve cried out for from the deepest part of your heart. This is what I do know: There is always a reason for pain. Really. And it’s not because God is trying to punish you. It’s not because He enjoys watching you suffer. It’s not that God is reaping evil upon you. It’s not. Really.

Let me assure you of one very important thing. God loves you. He loves you. He loves you so much that He was willing to die for you…

Be assured: God is with you through the valleys just as He is on the mountaintops. And what a joy it is to know He’ll use our pain to encourage others and—maybe—even grow His kingdom.

Comfort ... A Reason for Suffering (2 Corinthians 1:3-7)

Today's scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7

I would give a lot to live without constant pain and fatigue. I would love to wake up one morning and feel well. It would be a pretty amazing thing …

But that doesn’t seem to be God’s plan. Oh, I’ve prayed for healing. Others have as well. And I believe with all my heart that God could take my pain away, but for reasons known only to Himself, He does not.

So, since He hasn’t healed my earthly pain, I’ve had to make a choice: wallow in the pain or see a greater purpose in it. And I choose the latter.

That’s why I love verses like today’s. There is a purpose in pain. For me, one purpose is that it keeps me focused on God. I know I can’t handle it on my own. Those mornings when I wake up and it’s all I can do to even get out of bed? I immediately ask the Lord for strength, just to get through that day. And He does.

The other purpose is that I’m able to comfort others who deal with health issues. I can offer a shoulder or a hug. I can give advice based on my own experience. I can pray with them and for them.

There’s nothing quite like having someone who’s experienced something similar to what you’re going through. While my wonderful husband loves me and wants to help me, he really doesn’t “get it.” And I’m glad he doesn’t because I wouldn’t want him to live with the pain I do.

So when I need a bit of comfort myself, I tend to gravitate to others who can empathize. To those who say—and mean it—“I know what you’re going through.” Not a pity party, mind you … just a feeling that I’m not on this journey alone.

Yes, I’d love to be pain-free. But since I’m not, I can feel blessed because I know God is using my pain.

It’s not just about physical pain. Whatever you’ve experienced—abuse, infertility, divorce, addiction—God can use that experience to help and comfort others. You can directly impact the lives of those who are on similar paths to your own.

And that’s one of the greatest blessings.

Revival and Comfort (Psalm 71:19-20)

Today's scripture: Psalm 71:19-20

Do you ever find yourself in need of being revived? Of being comforted?

You may be thinking: Every. Single. Day.

I can certainly relate.

It seems like, more and more, I need a supernatural revival just to get out of bed each morning. As my various health issues continue to sap my daily strength, I need the strength that comes only through my Lord Jesus Christ.

And those days when I feel lonely or sad or melancholy—and they do come—I know I can crawl on my Abba's lap and seek the comfort of His arms.

That's why I love verses like today's. I'm reminded that the righteous, one-and-only God does "great things" like creating the universe, yet He also takes time for me and my in-the-grand-scheme-of-things minor troubles.

He offers spiritual refreshment. He showers me with abundant blessings. His mercies overflow.

He revives me when I feel down in the "depths of the earth." He offers comfort when I'm hurting.

He loves me. He loves you.

Ask Him for physical or spiritual revival today. Crawl on His lap and seek His comfort.

Our righteous, loving God will give you what you need.

Every. Single. Day.

Be My Helper (Psalm 30:6-10)

Today's scripture: Psalm 30:6-10

Many, many times, I have echoed the words of one of today's verses: "Hear, O Lord, and have mercy on me; Lord, be my helper!"

I've written over the last couple days of how I'd love to be healed of my earthly afflictions. I would love to have no pain. I would love to have energy. I would love not to be so very, very weary.

Yet, at least for now, God's answer to my prayer for healing is, "Trust Me, my child. Rely on Me for your daily strength." Many mornings, I wake up and ask Jesus to hold my hand more tightly, giving me just enough strength for that day. (Chronic health issues do certainly make a person live just one day at a time!)

I do cry out for God's mercy and help, and He answers that prayer ... every time.

I wrote not too long ago about how I sometimes have the privilege of performing with a small faith-based community theater and how God often supernaturally carries me through my time on stage. I am still be fighting some weird sinus thing, and my daily pain has been more than usual. Yet, this past weekend, I cried out for God's mercy and help, and again, He brought me through each performance.

I'm sure I've written this before, but it bears repeating: God always, always answers our prayers when we pray for His will and purpose. In my case, His purpose seems to include my poor health. Yet, even on the most difficult days, I know I can cry out for His mercy and help, and He will answer that prayer ... with a resounding, "Yes!"

Joy in the Morning (Psalm 30:4-5)

Today's scripture: Psalm 30:4-5

We have so many reasons to praise our Lord. Grace. Mercy. Love. Forgiveness. Provision. Protection ... and the list goes on.

So often, however, we get so caught up in our day-to-day struggles, we forget just how blessed we are.

So, it is so very important to remember how much God loves us. I know (for myself at least), I need to pause and meditate on all He is and all He has done.

I remember that He is my shelter, my banner, my strong tower. He offers me peace and comfort. He is my refuge in the storm.

He is holy and just. He desires a relationship with me—with me! He gives me strength to accomplish what He has called me to do ... even if it's just one moment at a time.

Then I'm reminded that any storm I face is only temporary. As the psalmist writes in today's scripture: "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning." This could be literal, but I also believe it is a promise for the time when there truly will be no more death, crying, sorrow, or pain (see Revelation 21:4).

Indeed, in this world, we will have trials and tribulations; Jesus Himself promised this. However, we who follow Him can be assured of one thing: He has already won the war (see John 16:33)!

Joy absolutely will come in the morning!

Hold My Hand More Tightly (Psalm 6:6-7)

Today's scripture: Psalm 6:6-7

I've been keeping a journal for twenty years now ... one year after I recommitted my life to the Lord. When I start a new one (I recently started number 37), I read all previous journals again. It's a wonderful way to see how God has worked in my life.

And it hasn't always been an easy life ...

When I was meditating on today's verses (neither of which seems very encouraging), I was reminded of how often I've felt "weary with my groaning ..." I've dealt with pain of one sort or another for 35 years, and I often groan with pain. Yes, I even "drench my couch with tears."

For years, I would whine and complain about how awful I felt. My journals were filled with, "I hurt, Lord ... if it's Your will, please heal me."

For reasons known only to Him, God has chosen not to heal me ... but He has worked a wonderful miracle: I rarely whine and complain any more. Yes, I still write about days when I feel more pain than usual or am extra weary. However, instead of asking "Why?," I merely ask the Lord to either hold my hand more tightly ... or carry me through.

It's human to groan when we're in pain, but I've discovered that it doesn't help anything to grumble and murmur ... No, part of truly dealing with pain is to just give it to the Lord. I may not fully understand why I live this way. I do know God has used my pain to help others, and for that, I'm grateful.

I also know that He continues to work in and through me refine me and make me more like Jesus.

And so, I may still groan, I may still weep, but I also trust my loving Lord to give me exactly what I need to get through each day.

If you're in pain today (of any kind), lift your hand and say, "Jesus, will you hold my hand more tightly?"

He will.

Hear My Prayer (Psalm 4:1)

Today's scripture: Psalm 4:1

So many times, I sit in awe of how very blessed I am. I have a supportive, loving husband, a lovely home, two sweet four-legged "kids." I have the privilege of teaching and helping my students to become more effective writers—all from the comfort of my own home. I enjoy sharing the stage with amazing performers who love Jesus. I tell God's story when I speak.

I am so very blessed.

My life, however, isn't perfect. If you've read my devotionals for any length of time, you know I deal with a plethora of health issues, any of which causes pain. Between them, I honestly don't know a moment without of pain of some kind. Some days are better; some are ... well, not.

Because of my moment-by-moment pain, I often call out to God "in my distress." I often lift a figurative (and sometimes literal) hand and say, "Jesus, will You hold my hand just a little more tightly today?" ... and He does. He hears my cry and holds my hand. Some days, He carries me.

Even though He doesn't take away the pain completely, He offers relief for that moment. He offers mercy, peace, and comfort.

Through the pain, in spite of the pain, I feel His presence ... and I am blessed.

So blessed.