gospel

a woman in a white dress stands in front of a large stone building

Dear Refuge of my weary soul, I sing a love song

What is the “new commandment” from Jesus for us? Jesus echoes 2 Kings 23:25, telling us to “turn to the LORD with all,” a holistic, embodied, interconnected turning of our affections, thoughts, and emotions. In the weary wilderness of suffering, our souls long, our emotions thirst, our bodies faint, and our minds Read more

By Lauri Hogle, ago
a woman sits on a rock beside the lake

What do I need to think about as I suffer? Jesus. 

Jesus, turn my eyes to You. My suffering overwhelms, loss and grief profound. My thoughts are only of my needs. They engulf me. You promise to “supply every need” I have, according to our Father’s “riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19 ESV). Today, I need to think of Read more

By Lauri Hogle, ago
close up photo of golden rings

Singing in the fire of affliction

Have you ever read the works of Susannah Spurgeon? I deeply resonate with this sister in Christ because her chronic illness and pain kept her bed-bound for 34 years.  But, even during that time, she could support her husband Charles in his ministry, write books, and spearhead a charity to Read more

By Lauri Hogle, ago
brown gift box

God’s rewards as we suffer? “Oh, how I love Jesus!”

Lord God, I’ve often believed the lie that, other than relief from suffering in the end, there is no reward for this awful pain. That there’s nothing good I can do in this world, that my life can’t have good purpose if I’m suffering. I’ve often felt like there can’t Read more

By Lauri Hogle, ago
woman in blue fur coat holding a bible

Draw me nearer, blessed Lord, in the wounding

Lord, Sometimes I can’t even find the words to pray. I’m so weakened and overwhelmed in the wounding that I can barely breathe. Thank You for the lyrics of suffering songwriters who also needed to sing their prayers. Like Fannie Crosby, a blind sister in Christ who sang into her Read more

By Lauri Hogle, ago
human standing beside crucifix statue on mountain

Have you ever heard of spiritual depression? 

Particularly when our bodies suffer from chronic illness or ongoing fatigue and stress, we can become prone to what Martin Lloyd-Jones describes as “spiritual depression” or joyless unhappiness, a temptation of Satan for a believer.  My harp on yonder willow lies, Silent, neglected, and unstrung; My cheerful songs are turned Read more

By Lauri Hogle, ago
crucifix on the roadside

Suffering and constant stress in this fallen world…with Jesus

I’ve pondered this question over the many years of my earthly suffering: How does the gospel apply to our daily lives? How does the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ have personal relevance to our times of suffering and constant stress as we live in this fallen Read more

By Lauri Hogle, ago
blue sky with white clouds

What if…tomorrow is the day?! Praise Him, praise Him!

Lord Jesus, When “what if” thoughts fill my mind, when agony over escalating evil weighs heavy, when hope-less fears arise, zoom me back to Your hope-saturated truth. “What if”…tomorrow is actually the day of Your return? The appointed, already-scheduled day… Because [the Father] has fixed a day on which he Read more

By Lauri Hogle, ago
adult and young sheeps

When suffering makes me feel numb

Are you also suffering with chronic illnesses? With pain that interrupts your ability to sleep? Are exhaustion and depletion becoming a “numbed” depression? Blankly existing? Is an onslaught of simultaneous relational or financial suffering making you feel numb? “Numbness is an incredibly strong emotion, an emotion so strong that it Read more

By Lauri Hogle, ago
person soaking on body of water

Jehovah Râphâh, our Great Physician, our Healing

Bedridden and flat. The only way to reduce severe pain and eye-popping pressure, as my brain continues to heal. Tears of grief, feeling like I’d been given the game of Life’s “Move back 20 spaces,” missing many special times with people I love. Wondering how I could start over with Read more

By Lauri Hogle, ago

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