grief

photo of person lying down on beach

Singing Christ’s hope and love into depression

It drove me deeper and deeper into hopeless agony. Although no one knew it, I was suffering from depression, comorbid with years of undiagnosed chronic illness. My body was falling apart, with organ systems dysfunctioning and continual, severe pain. My ability to cope as a young wife and mother became Read more

By Lauri Hogle, ago
pink green and purple flowers during daytime

Jesus loves me, this I know

I’ve been thinking a lot about Jesus and what aspect of His character has specifically attracted so many to follow Him and maintain trust in Him, no matter what suffering entered their earthly lives. What drove Jesus all the way to the cross, enduring all manner of suffering in His Read more

By Lauri Hogle, ago
sad multiracial women hugging at home

“How long, O Lord?” A prayer of hope

Father, We cry along with the rest of Your believing children,  Across all of time and place, as we earth-dwellers perceive it, we cry along with Your invisible church, Your believing family of Christ-followers from every tribe, tongue, and nation. We cry as we see bickering, false teaching, persecution, wounding, Read more

By Lauri Hogle, ago
woman in white shirt standing on gray rock near body of water

Praise rises in hope, “Before the Throne of God Above”

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

By Lauri Hogle, ago
'Simply to thy cross I

Healing beneath the cross of Jesus 

Jesus Christ, In this holiest of weeks, focusing on what You’ve done for me, I seek healing beneath the cross of Jesus.  I cannot relax or be calm; I have no rest, for turmoil has come (Job 3:26 CSB). The words of Job echo mine as I suffer. But they Read more

By Lauri Hogle, ago
people summer sun sign

Jesus, Your name is sweet, as I suffer

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

By Lauri Hogle, ago
close up photo of tied blue box

How can God be good if this is happening to me?

Perhaps this is one of the deepest universal questions, driving us into cognitive dissonance when suffering lingers. When layers of grief and loss take us under, we can barely breathe. We feel like Job. But when I hoped for good, evil came; when I looked for light, darkness came (Job Read more

By Lauri Hogle, ago
silhouette of person raising hands

Nothing at all can separate me from God’s love

How can a loving God let this happen to me? Including Job and myself, I don’t know one person who’s experienced deep suffering and hasn’t asked this question in moments of pain and despair. As a mature believer, Job lamented to God, “I loathe my life…do not condemn me…I am Read more

By Lauri Hogle, ago
nativity scene table decor

She Was Missing Christmas, the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

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

By Lauri Hogle, ago
star shaped christmas lights

Peace in suffering at Christmas…in the gospel of Christ

We’ve flipped the calendar and here we are, entering Advent. So, we begin to sing the old familiar hymn… Hark! the herald angels sing,“Glory to the newborn King!” (“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” Wesley, C., 1739) “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Lk. Read more

By Lauri Hogle, ago

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