Recently, I shared about some precious friends who’ve experienced our Father’s comfort in affliction, who then shared that comfort with me and my husband. It came after their intense affliction.
But how can we experience His comfort within this suffering, a suffocating affliction? How can we know His desires for us within constant chaos? How can we live according to His will and purposes for us in the midst? I’ve been wrestling with this very question…”How?”
We simply ask Him!
God’s Word encourages me deeply. I need His comforting guidance in my ongoing chronic illnesses and pain, the ups and downs of continual upheaval, and every emotion that comes with it. This week’s praise interruption has given me the words to sing-pray as I ask Him “how.” Perhaps it will be His gift to you too, sister in Christ.
For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ (2 Cor. 1:5 NASB).
Lord Jesus, speak to me, within this suffering
Lord, speak to me, that I may speak
in living echoes of your tone;
as you have sought, so let me seek
your erring children lost and lone.
(“Lord, Speak to Me, That I May Speak,” Havergal, F. R., 1872)
Through Your saving gift of the gospel, I am now in Christ! I am not lost! I am never alone!
For great is your steadfast love toward me;
you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol (Ps. 86:13 ESV).
So, keep me from being an “erring child” as You speak to me in Your Word, correcting anything in me that You alone know is needed.
Lord Jesus, teach me
O teach me, Lord, that I may teach
the precious things you do impart…
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17 ESV).
and wing my words, that they may reach
the hidden depths of many a heart.
Lord Jesus, strengthen me
From the end of the earth I call to you
when my heart is faint.
Lead me to the rock
that is higher than I (Ps. 61:2 ESV).
Oh, strengthen me, that
while I stand firm on the Rock, and strong in Thee,
I may stretch out a loving hand
to wrestlers with the troubled sea.
Lord Jesus, lead me, within this suffering
O lead me, Lord, that I may lead
the wandering and the wavering feet;
O feed me, Lord, that I may feed
the hungering ones with manna sweet.
Lord Jesus, fill me
O fill me with your fullness, Lord,
until my very heart o’erflow…
with
strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that [I] may be filled with all the fullness of God (Eph. 3:18-19 ESV).
in kindling thought and glowing word
your love to tell, your praise to show.
Oh, give Thine own sweet rest to me,
That I may speak with soothing power
a word in season, as from Thee,
to weary ones in needful hour.
Lord Jesus, use even me, within this suffering
O use me, Lord, use even me,
just as you will, and when and where…
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost (Lk. 19:10 ESV).
They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads (Rev. 22:4 CSB)!
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Mt. 28:19-20 ESV).
until your blessed face I see,
your rest, your joy, your glory share.
Amen and amen.
A playlist to pray-sing to our Lord Jesus
This week, our “suffering” playlist is filled with songs that echo these Scriptures. We ask Him for all these things and praise Him for His personalized “how” as we suffer. In it all, I pray that He comforts and guides you within your suffering as He is still comforting and leading me after 33 years of chronic illnesses and pain.
Sister in Christ, we both have His comforting purposes right now, in the midst of our suffering. He delights in answering our pleas for “how.” If sing-praying would encourage you and help you turn to Jesus, sign up here, and this woman who understands will send it to your email with prayers and love. Or perhaps other resources below would be His encouragement?
To hear Scripture devotional with calming hymn playing, click here for YouTube podcast.
For chronic illness and pain, a prayer and music therapy-inspired podcast to ease symptoms
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