grace of God

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
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
foot prints on desert during daytime

All the way my Savior leads me

Good Shepherd, thank You for guiding me through this suffering journey. Psalm 23’s promises are precious to me, for You are indeed leading me in paths of righteousness, giving me needed moments of rest, restoration, and comfort in Your always-good and compassionate presence. You’re leading me through the darkest places 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
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
sliced fruits on tray

Sweet communion with Jesus, His fruit as we suffer

Holy Spirit, Spirit of Christ, You promise to grow Your self-control fruit in me. I cling to this promise, for I need this freeing truth in all the temptations suffering can bring. In sweet communion, Lord, with thee I constantly abide; my hand thou holdest in thine own to keep Read more

By Lauri Hogle, ago
cross with light

Depression and singing Christ’s hope

With love for my sisters in Christ from around the globe who email me about their depression…this week, I take a tangent and share some of what I’ve learned about depression. You may not be “diagnosed,” but you may be dealing with it. This week’s music therapy-inspired worship music playlist Read more

By Lauri Hogle, ago
a person holding a bible

Here, O my Lord, I see Thee face to face

Faithful Father, Because You are faithful, I can walk through this trial, even if You choose not to remove it on earth. Your promises hold me when my emotions and thoughts spiral. Suffering can bring such temptation to doubt Your love or to fall into sinful self-pity and bitterness toward Read more

By Lauri Hogle, ago
person embroidering

As we suffer on earth, our Savior’s prayer of love for us

Lord Jesus, In my own agony, I can only turn to You, humbled and low before You. I feel so “wormy” when I re-realize the depth of my sin that separated me from our Father…and the depth of our Father’s love for me in giving me to You now and Read more

By Lauri Hogle, ago
distressed middle aged woman in black blazer holding a woman beside her

A glorious love story’s chapter

A sweet medical helper tried to encourage me, “Your story isn’t over yet. This is just a chapter.” Amazingly, this world has invented positive thinking “mantras,” faintly shadowing Biblical truth. With each chapter of ongoing suffering’s ebb and flow of hardships, a Christian’s story isn’t over yet! Why? Because our Read more

By Lauri Hogle, ago

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