heaven

light up board saying god is love

Romans 8 “Love Divine,” as we both suffer

Love Divine, all loves excelling, As I pray for my suffering sisters in Christ, Your Romans 8 love songs fill my heart.  Your love is far stronger than our tribulation. It continues steadfast when our own weakens, in our constant distress, with every ache in this fallen world of sin.  Read more

By Lauri Hogle, ago
shallow focus of a woman holding a bible

God, help us focus on Your past, present, and future blessings

Blessed Father God, On this difficult day, it comforts me to know that Your strong believing children felt “so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself” (2 Cor. 1:8 ESV). Their affliction brought this on…and I’ve experienced the same. Focusing on God’s past blessings Turn me and Read more

By Lauri Hogle, ago
a woman opening curtains

God’s promised best when I imagine the worst

Lord, You know my frame. When suffering is chronic in my earthly life and I wake up with pain-full, ongoing problems, You know I quickly imagine the worst when I look into the near future. Comfort me to remember Your promised best. Change my thoughts when I only imagine the Read more

By Lauri Hogle, ago
woman in white stands before majestic ban gioc waterfall

Emotionally and physically safe in this homesick world

Do you ever pause to ponder when suffering began? There was no suffering or lack of safety when our Creator spoke our world into being and called it good! When He created Adam and Eve, there was no pain, sorrow, shame, or suffering of any kind. They enjoyed an intimate, Read more

By Lauri Hogle, ago
boat out at sea at dusk

God knows what is best for my suffering loved one

A mighty fortress is our God,a bulwark never failing;our helper he, amid the floodof mortal ills prevailing. (“A Mighty Fortress,” Luther, M., 1529) Mortal ills and storms of life in this fallen world, raging temptations to sin, all of us desperately needing God’s help. Here’s one of the greatest of Read more

By Lauri Hogle, ago
mountains with crepuscular ray

God’s miracle happened before! To God be the glory!

When I tell the story, some respond in awe and praise God. Others scratch their heads, “Maybe He is real and still does miracles.” I’m holding my breath in awe, wonder, and trembling worship. God has done a miracle in my life, twice now. I’m so humbled by His grace Read more

By Lauri Hogle, ago
blue and purple sky with stars

It could be awesome!

My friend shared her dread of her chronic illness symptoms crashing into something she had to do the following week. I shared that I dreaded escalating symptoms at an upcoming event, knowing they likely would appear because of its inherent activity. She tried to encourage me, exclaiming, “But it could Read more

By Lauri Hogle, ago
eyeglasses and cross on an open book

Praying God’s great and precious promises into suffering

I woke up at 3 am, writhing in severe pain with a cascade of symptoms within this past year’s ongoing medical treatment. Stumbling to the kitchen, into my agony, fears, loneliness, and darkness, the coffee cup’s Biblical promise made its way through my tears and into my heart.  “The LORD Read more

By Lauri Hogle, ago
woman standing on the beach raising her hands

Singing into the hard days

It was time for battle. The Lord had already revealed it would be a hard and scary day. Praying together, God’s people prepared for battle by remembering who He is and asking Him for help.  God encouraged them not to be afraid and that they wouldn’t even need to fight. Read more

By Lauri Hogle, ago
gold wedding bands on sand

To the one who conquers in suffering

Elisha prayed and said, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around. (2 Kings 6:7 ESV) In studying Revelation lately, this Read more

By Lauri Hogle, ago

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