“For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. We give great honor to those who endure under suffering.” (James 5:10-11a NLT)
The outcome of our suffering depends largely on our attitude as our suffering begins. It may be the loss of a loved one or long-held position; it could be the news of a serious illness or disease; it could be broken or damaged relationships with loved ones or friends. It can even be persecution for our faith. Whatever the cause of our suffering, there’s only one “cure,” and His name is Jesus.
“Whoa!” you may be thinking, “isn’t that a bit naïve?” Not if you’re a Jesus follower. Understanding that nothing touches my life except it passes through the filter of God’s permission tells me that suffering in whatever form it takes, is no accident and His timing is perfect. “Perfect for what?” you may wonder. Perfect for the instruction the Lord wants to give me in this season; perfect for the opportunity to grow in my faith, to be closer to the Lord, to enable the Spirit to speak to me more clearly, to hear His voice more easily, to use me more effectively.
There can be dozens of reasons the Lord has allowed what He allows when He allows it. Our job isn’t to question or second guess Him, our responsibility is to submit to His authority, His Lordship over us and say: “Okay, Father, You’ve allowed this, how would you have me respond? How can I most effectively position my heart to hear Your voice and obey Your directives? What are You seeking to teach me? Whose life or lives are You wanting me to positively affect because of what You’re bringing into my life? Who might listen to the message You give me now that wouldn’t hear it before?”
Recently, while in a prayer service at church, a young woman sat by me and a close friend of mine. As the service continued it became apparent that she was distressed, so, as opportunity was given, a few of us who were sitting close, formed a small circle and began to share concerns. This young woman quickly spoke up and let us know she’d just been diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer.
It was hard for her to speak about it, but my friend spoke up and let her know that he’d just come through a bout with Stage 1 cancer and he was now cancer free and didn’t have to undergo any chemo or radiation treatments. He attributed his good fortune to the Lord and prayer. Her countenance lifted and as we prayed for her it was if she was seeing a light of hope that had been hidden.
Obviously, I don’t know her level of spiritual maturity, but we exchanged numbers, and I sent her my wife’s number as well. The point is this: without Jesus there’s only hope placed in the help that comes from traditional means, doctors, medicines, etc., which are great, they’re just not enough.
J. D. Greear wrote: “Your suffering may feel to you like a dark night of the soul, but God is working in it the power of resurrection.” Without understanding God’s vital role in everything that touches our life, we have no alternative but to worry and fret, but when we are linked to the Holy Spirit and His limitless resources, we’re free to ponder the dozens of ways God can use our new circumstances for our good and His glory.
After the service I mentioned to the young woman that she may not believe me, but if she will trust the Lord and walk with Him through this process, one day she would view her cancer as a gift. That may seem crazy to some, but that’s exactly how I view my Alzheimer’s. The Lord is closer in this season than ever before and we’re growing in our closeness every day. I understand that every thought, every movement of my body or activity of my mind is a gift from my Father in heaven. I may not know when the end will come or how difficult it will be, but I know with absolute certainty that I will not face it alone.
The journey may be dark, but there is coming for me, and every believer in Jesus, a bright, resurrection morning!
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 