In suffering, I’m instantly tempted to focus on myself. The pain overtakes my every thought and everything becomes so inward, fixated on my hurting. When it becomes days and years, with no end in sight, it’s easy for me to become self-absorbed.
Me, me, me.
But Jesus beckons us:
“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Mk. 8:34).
Could my suffering today be the very place in which He’s gently beckoning me to turn my focus to Him instead of myself? Does that feel impossible in the pain and suffering you’re enduring today?
Oh, dear one, I know. But check out His promise to us as believers in Christ:
“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness” (I Pet. 2:24).
Jesus paid it all. He did it all. God’s the source of our power over any sin. Now, by His amazing grace given to us as His children, His daily and constantly overflowing grace, we can die to self, die to our sin, and follow Him as we suffer. How?
Who are we yoked to? Jesus, God the Son, the always-existent, reigning Lord and Creator of the entire universe. Jesus, our Savior, gentle and lowly in heart, filled with compassionate mercy and everlasting love for you and for me as His adopted family members (Eph. 1: 4-5).
In His power and by His strength, God’s love, mercy, and sustaining grace bring rest to our souls as we walk through suffering, because we are yoked with Jesus. Our cries show us we need Him desperately. So “me, me, me” could become focus on “You, You, YOU!” today. Oh, what rest He gives when He helps us change our focus.
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:1-3 ESV).
With the help of His empowering Spirit, let’s set our hearts and minds on things above, focusing on Jesus. The hymnwriter helps us as we join the millions who are singing at His throne for all of eternity!
“Please help me sing to You, Jesus.”
Could it be that, in the act of singing truths of His Word, He might graciously change our focus and turn our thoughts to His glory, His beauty, His power, His love? Beloved, let’s both interrupt today’s suffering with praise to the One who is worthy and join in the unending song.
To God and to the Lamb, I will sing
To God and to the Lamb, I will sing, I will sing,
to God and to the Lamb, I will sing
to God and to the Lamb, who is the great I Am.
“What Wondrous Love is This” (Anonymous, 1811)
Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” (Jn. 8:58 ESV).
For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority (Col. 2:9-10 ESV).
And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven” (Mk. 14:62 ESV).
These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb (Rev. 7:14 ESV).
I will sing to You, Jesus: You are worthy
While millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing,
while millions join the theme, I will sing!
“What Wondrous Love is This” (Anonymous, 1811)
Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice,
Help me sing to You, Jesus: You have saved me and set me free into joy
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on,
and when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on;
and when from death I’m free, I’ll sing and joyful be,
and through eternity I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on,
and through eternity I’ll sing on!
“What Wondrous Love is This” (Anonymous, 1811)
The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation (Ps. 118:14 ESV).
For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death (Rom 8:2 ESV).
Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls (I Pet. 1:8-9 ESV).
“Help me sing to You, Jesus.”
Sweet friend, could you praise Him for His unending love for you, joining the millions at His throne today? How is He gently teaching us to learn from Him, freeing us from self-focus by focusing on truths of Himself? How is He calling us to rest in His love as we suffer?
Oh, my soul, what healing, cleansing, transforming, wondrous love is this!
Will you join me in singing to Jesus? I’ve created a playlist for both of us to sing in personal worship times at home. This week, the songs help us sing to Jesus about our need, exalting Jesus as our reigning Lord, saving and loving Lamb of God, worthy of all our praise. If you would like to receive my gift in your email, just sign up here and it will come to you, with my deepest love in Christ and prayers for you.
2 Comments
Aritha · March 1, 2021 at 4:57 pm
It is hard. But your blog is helping me to focus more on Jesus. Thank you so much.
Lauri Hogle · March 1, 2021 at 6:37 pm
Oh Aritha, I’m right there with you, walking alongside you! Let’s pray for one another-I’m so thankful you’re here with us. Seeking Him in prayer and His Word and singing in response!🙏🏼❤️🙌🏼🎶
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