Suffering is the most trying of human conditions. It changes our understanding of God and of ourselves. However, Christ’s death means our suffering can point us to Him, to His sacrifice, and in doing so, our suffering can be redeemed.
2MefromHim Devotional
Suffering Redeemed
As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. Psalms 71:14
Life is full of battles—illness, pain, bills, family strife, age. Uncertainty follows us from day to day. The road of life is like a minefield.
When recalling better times is hard, I focus on the Lord. The battle waxes and wanes. My God remains the same—my rock and refuge when I can’t take another step. The fight seems never ending but the enemy cannot touch my soul.
Victory comes in acceptance, peace from remembering good times and trusting they will come again. Victory rests in hope, the remembrance of God’s enabling in times past.
David fought many battles, foes pursued him, enemies attacked, the temptation to forget what God had done was real. His cries for deliverance, his confidence that God heard and understood, his hope in the face of the next Goliath, soothe my spirit.
I want to reveal triumph in the midst of trial, certainty that suffering is not in vain. Paul wrote, “But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.” (Romans 8:17) David says, in Psalms 71:20-21, “You have allowed me to suffer much hardship, but you will restore me to life again and lift me up from the depths of the earth. You will restore me to even greater honor and comfort me once again.”
The value of struggle comes through embracing rather than questioning. Pain offers identification with Christ, comprehension of His cost in bearing my sins. Trials require dependence on God alone. They strengthen and drive out fear because I know the God who has enabled in the past will be faithful to rescue today.
Enemies may threaten today but the goodness of God endures forever. When challenges come. When pain threatens to overwhelm. When discouragement pounds like a battering ram against mind and body. I am not captive to circumstance for the battle is the Lord’s.
The choice is mine—give in and suffer defeat or hold onto Christ and know victory awaits. My ability to influence others facing battle comes in accepting what God sends and offering it back to God—His to use as He would. When I encourage another soul, my suffering is redeemed.
Hold tight to the hand of God. He will never forsake.
© Copyright by Norma Gail Thurston Holtman, April 23, 2017
Norma Gail is the author of the contemporary Christian romance, Land of My Dreams, winner of the 2016 Bookvana Religious Fiction Award. A women’s Bible study leader for over 21 years, her devotionals and poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, and in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. Norma is a former RN who lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 40 years. They have two adult children.
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Thank you for this wonderful devotion.
You are so welcome, Tim! I really appreciate the encouragement!