I begin to flail if I dwell in the quicksand of swirling stress as I suffer. I can hardly breathe if I get sucked down into fear of what could happen in this fallen world. If I continually replay my losses and agonies in my thoughts, I’m mired in depths Read more
Are you feeling beaten down by the evil of this fallen world? Are you weary of its suffering, a result of pervasive sin? Sister in Christ, I’ve been engulfed there lately. But Jesus is risen! Things are not as they seem to us. Our Lord has graciously reminded me of Read more
I’ve begged God for healing over many years of progressively worsening illness, so Job feels like a fellow chronic illness friend to me. He dealt with chronic pain and visible skin issues that were itchy, infected, and gross. He had no appetite and lost weight, with fevers and breathing challenges. Read more
Father, we sing: The Lord has promised good to me,his Word my hope secures. (“Amazing Grace,” Newton, J., 1779) But sometimes, in the years of suffering, our hearts grieve so much that we cry to You when we sing this. You promised good to me…but how can this suffering be Read more
We ache for good news in medical challenges. We pray for good outcomes to the hardships our kids and grandkids are experiencing. We grieve when good things disappear. We live in a fallen and fearful world in which sin and resulting suffering affect everything. We need good news, don’t we? Read more
Father, We’re easily tempted to dread future suffering. Just flipping on the news will do it! We all need Your help. In Isaiah 12, You prepared Your people for upcoming suffering. In their case, You would judge their many years of sinful turning away from You. But You were mercifully Read more
Lord, I come to You in my suffering today, fighting the lie that believers don’t need to experience suffering on earth. When we “writhe in pain” daily (Job 15:20), this lie easily tempts us to discouragement, bitterness, and despair. Job fought this lie. But You tenderly tell Your suffering and Read more
Heavenly Father, Like with Job in his suffering, the enemy continues his wearying lie, “Did God actually say?” (Genesis 3:1). Moments of doubt and fear can creep into our thoughts when we’re gripped in the lonely pain of suffering. “Doesn’t suffering mean that my faith has failed? That I have Read more
As we suffer this Christmas, let’s remember what is true, sister in Christ. Will you join me as I interrupt my suffering with praise to Jesus? I call it a “praise interruption,” turning around to praise our Lord, within our lament over all that is painful. Like the lament Psalms, Read more
Do you feel like you’re “missing Christmas” right now? Are you fearing you might be “missing Christmas” this year? Is someone you love no longer with us on earth and so you’re missing your loved one, dreading Christmas day? Are your emotions so numb to Christmas that you just wish Read more
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