I don't remember ever writing a devotional on pain and suffering before,
but now, I am suffering pain, so I have thought and prayed about it and
looked up certain verses in the Bible. There are very few verses that
speak about pain "just four, actually...but then, I looked up
"suffering", and God spoke to me. Are you suffering, too? Is it a normal
problem with the human body? Why does God let us suffer?
"Make level paths for your feet," so that the lame may not be
disabled but rather healed. (Hebrews 12:13 NIV)
As I have started using a
walker, this verse speaks to me about all those friends who have helped
me, making level paths for my feet. It is much more dangerous trying to
walk through snow and ice, as we have had here this winter. As the Word
says in verse 12, we have discovered that through faith we need "to
strengthen our feeble arms and weak knees".
I have learned that
much can be understood about enduring pain when we read of how Christ
gives us inner joy. The apostle Paul states it clearly:
"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing
with the glory that will be revealed in us. (Romans
8:18 NIV)
We overcome
pain and suffering as we experience His inner joy. Through suffering, we
grow in grace as "the Spirit helps us in our weakness" (Romans 8:26
NIV). Yes, we learn more from suffering pain than we do from listening
to a sermon. I know that for years, I was in my pulpit hurting greatly
from pain resulting from a broken hip, but God carried me through and
spoke to the congregation as I shared with them, going beyond my pain
and weakness.
So, what is God saying to us as we suffer pain? He
will be assuring us that help is nigh. Without His Holy Spirit
strengthening us, we would be undone, unable to cope. But in our
weakness, we learn that as we invite Jesus into our lives, the Holy
Spirit is strengthening us. We get up and face each day praying for the
Lord's help. Let us pray now, together.
Prayer: Dear Lord, You
suffered greatly on the cross as they tore Your body apart, giving You a
great amount of pain and suffering. We believe in Your resurrection and
in eternal life with You. Your power can set us all free from the pain
of life here on earth. We join You, O Lord, sharing Your presence today
with great joy and gladness. Thank You for promising to welcome us into
Your eternal home. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Iris Ford
Parksville, British Columbia, Canada
Thanks to
PresbyCan
Daily Devotional
