Navigating Through the Storms of Life
During times of trials and suffering there is very little that can be said to make us feel better. Our hearts are heavy with hurt and more than anything, we just want the pain to stop. The presence of suffering in our lives is not a matter of choice, but an assured reality. The theology of prosperity-gospel attempts to teach us that doing right increases our earthly blessings. Many religious institutions teach that trouble, hardship, sickness, etc. are a result of personal sin.
Jesus actually tells us in John 16:33, “...you will have suffering in this world…”
Frequently, when we wrestle with the heavy burdens of emotional, spiritual, physical anguish, it is not uncommon for well-meaning souls to offer guidance, insights from scripture, or cheerful reassurance. Yet often these well-intentioned gestures inadvertently undermine the depth of our struggle. As humans we frequently falter in navigating our own seasons of suffering and are uncomfortable with the suffering of others. However, it is crucial to remember that God is not indifferent to our pain. A verse that beautifully encapsulates this is found in Psalm 56:8 TPT,
“You’ve kept track of all my wandering and my weeping. You’ve stored my many tears in your bottle—not one will be lost. For they are all recorded in your book of remembrance.”
I’m not going to lie, I do not like pain and suffering, but there is hope to help us navigate through them with a balanced approach. If you have ever looked at different blogs or websites, you might have seen Bible verses suggesting ways to make tough times feel better. I am not going to overwhelm you with a long list of these verses, but I do want to offer a few that can give you hope for potential growth in a journey that leads to healing, strength, and renewed sense of purpose during the storm.
As believers, scripture confirms our hope that God is in control of our world. "Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.” Isaiah 46:9-10 ESV While God is in control and will accomplish his divine purpose, we still live in the consequences of a world dominated by sin and people still have free choice.
Claim the promise of Romans 8:26: “The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.” Cry out to your Heavenly Father. The Holy Spirit communicates with God the Father through our desperate inner cries and the longings of our hearts when we do not have adequate words to express our needs and desires.
Remember the race is won with perseverance. “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame and sat at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:2,3.
There is no permanent hope apart from the God of hope. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13.
Live your life with an eternal perspective. For the unbeliever their only hope lies in what happens here on earth before they die. Randy Alcorn in his book, Heaven, said, “For Christians, this present life is the closest they will come to Hell. For unbelievers, it is the closest they will come to Heaven.”
Someday our reward will come when we stand before God and hear those words, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter in the joy of your master.” Matthew 25:21