I opened my phone, and social media tore into me. Memes complaining about “the world,” suffering and sin, and Scriptures meant to warn unbelievers wrecked my already-aching heart. When I realized I was suddenly feeling condemned and wallowing in “self” thoughts, I knew…these people’s posts were not helpful.
When we suffer, there are moments when we feel like nothing and no one is helpful.
When others’ words fuel discontentment, anxiety, lonely isolation, frustration, distraction, and hopelessness, we’re being tempted by the enemy…into battles.
Selah.
Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things (Phil. 4:8 ESV).
So, I needed my Helper (Jn. 14:16) and His tailor-made words, true and sinlessly pure, in His perfect knowing of what I need most.
I needed God’s help with His words in Scripture, but personalized for me for that moment, His gift of today’s manna.
It was time to open my Bible again, instead of my phone.
WHO is helpful in battles?
As much as people want to help, they don’t know our thoughts and hearts and what we need most. Their compassion is always laced with their own experiences; mere human wisdom and love only go so far. As those who care for people, we hate to see others suffer, so we often lean toward overprotecting, problem-solving, or complaining to each other, couched as empathy. Sometimes, words (especially on social media) make sufferers who are already saved sinners feel shame and judgment from God rather than pointing us to God’s redeeming gift of the gospel.
Not always helpful.
Thought battles escalate, don’t they? So, Who is completely helpful?
Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield (Ps. 33:20 ESV).
That day, our omniscient God so compassionately helped me remember His encouragement to His people who battled:
O worship the King all-glorious above,
O gratefully sing his power and his love;
our shield and Defender, the Ancient of Days,
pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise.
(“O Worship the King,” Grant, R., 1833)
WHAT is helpful in battles?
Songs echoed God’s Word and its promises into my thoughts! That day? He alone knew what I needed most in my body’s pain that day: to worship Jesus as our strong and mighty King and Lord!
Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail,
in You do we trust, nor find You to fail;
Your mercies how tender, how firm to the end,
our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend!
WHY is He helpful? WHERE and WHEN do I find help in battles?
As those beloved in Christ, our King Jesus Christ surrounds us with His perfect care, shielding and protecting our hearts, defending us against every enemy attack as He intercedes for us. Through the work of His Spirit within, by His grace, He is helping us to endure trials and persecutions and to fight temptations to sin in those thought battles—always!
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Ps. 46:1 ESV).
Your bountiful care what tongue can recite?
It breathes in the air; it shines in the light;
it streams from the hills; it descends to the plain;
and sweetly distills in the dew and the rain.
HOW is He helpful?
He gives us “all the words” in God’s Word to answer our prayers, teach us, and help us battle!
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you (Jn. 14:26 ESV).
That day, I needed the tender voice of my Helper and King. Do I trust His help and guidance in this trial? Do I trust what God’s Word says? Do I trust my King’s wise timing, His steadfast love for me as His beloved in Christ, and the zillions of things He’s doing during each battle?
And all of this? As with all work of the Holy Spirit, He glorifies Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords (Rev. 17:14)!
O measureless Might! Ineffable Love!
While angels delight to hymn you above,
the humbler creation, though feeble their lays,
with true adoration shall lisp to your praise.
For, as our King defends and protects us as His saved, redeemed, wholly forgiven, made-righteous beloved ones, He helps us no longer feel alone or condemned when we feel like nothing and no one is helpful.
We’re stirred to humbled adoration and praise…to Jesus Christ,
who embodies Philippians 4:8…
true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, worthy of praise! Hallelujah!
Material adapted from Singing the Gospel to Job: Finding Hope in Suffering, Lauri A. Hogle, © 2022
A playlist to sing of our Helper, to our Helper, in battles
Let’s “think about these things”…by singing “whatever is true” to our hearts and our Lord! I’ve made a playlist to sing (and therefore, memorize) Scripture, singing of who He is and His promises to us as His beloved in Christ.
It’s for moments of battle when I’m tempted to think nothing and no one is helpful or when others’ words become condemnation, and I need the gospel! It’s simply not true!
If you’d like to sing gospel-centered truths into your battles, sign up below, and it will come to your email with my prayers and love as a sister who has battled with Scripture and song for over thirty years of suffering…and still is!
Other resources of Singing Christ’s Hope for suffering Christian women
To hear Scripture devotional with calming hymn playing, click here for YouTube podcast.
Devotional Bible study prayer journals, available on Amazon. Click for details.
Near to God: A Devotional Bible Study of God’s Character in our Suffering
