Hold On And Lean In

Hello. Here is another “Lost Writing from OC.” I wrote this one back in 2019.

Today’s a new day! As we walk through this journey called life, Jesus told us pain and suffering would be a part of our lives:

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” ~John 16:33

I love that Jesus did not simply say we’ll have trials and sorrow and then leaves it to us to figure out. No, He promises peace and reminds us that he has overcome the world, meaning the tough times we face in life are not without purpose.

Our pain and suffering often sets us up to see God supernaturally working in our lives.

Regardless of what pain and suffering we might currently be walking through or what challenges we might face in the future, here are some lessons God as taught me as I have walked out my own crazy beautiful health journey:

Bring Your Pain To God, Do Not Run From Him

When we run from God in seasons of challenge, all we’re left with is our own limited ability to cope with what we’re walking through. On the other hand, God invites us to draw near to him that we might experience his peace, healing, and closeness and this is what Scripture points us towards.

 “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” ~Psalm 34:18

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” ~Psalm 147:3

Like our need for a surgeon to address physical wounds to our body, God desires to conduct divine surgery on our soul which results in supernatural healing despite how difficult our challenge.

When we bring our pain to God we recognize that there is a purpose and in time the One who loves us unconditionally will reveal his divine purpose through it.

Fill Your Life With God’s Word and God’s People

How we respond to pain and suffering is vital to how we process what’s happening and how healing will take place. If we treat physical sickness with the the wrong medication, not only will our illness continue, but it could possibly become much worse.

Also if we fill our minds with wrong thoughts: God is mad at me, God is not good, worse things are going to happen, etc., we will struggle to experience the peace of God he promises to us in scripture. Check out Philippians 4:7.

But when we choose to fill our lives with God’s Word and surround ourselves with people who speak hope and encouragement into our lives, we will experience more peace as we walk out the tough moments in life.

“How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey.” ~Psalm 119:103

When we fill our minds with God’s Word, we are reminding ourselves of who our God is, what he’s like, and we replace the lies of the enemy with the truth of our good God.

Do Not Be Filled With Worry, Allow Your Life To Overflow With Worship

Powerful things begin to happens when we actively choose to worship God through our suffering. This is not denying the reality of the situation, it’s simply redirecting our efforts from one of worry to one of worship.

Worship changes our perspective. Worship speaks about where our confidence and hope resides. Worship redirects our thinking. Worship places the results in God’s hands. Not ours.

Regardless of where our pain and suffering come from, when we begin to worship God through our struggles, spiritual chains begin to break so that we are not ruled by our current circumstance but we set our eyes on something higher.

Believe That God Will Take Our Sorrow And Turn It Into Great Joy

As we walk through the storms of life, we must remember God can take our worst moments and turn them into something good. Of course it’s not always easy to see that when we’re being knocked around by the crashing seas. When we think about Jesus’ greatest sorrow – suffering the shame, punishment, and death for our sin, the result was great joy – the redemption of humanity and the opportunity for a relationship with the living God.

When I reflect on my own health challenges which has brought great pain, I see how God has used this season of discomfort to strengthen and encourage others which has resulted in my own comfort and joy through this crazy beautiful health journey.

Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 1:4, “He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.”

Jesus willingly suffered the greatest pain because he knew the end of the story, and so do we. The words in Revelations 21:4 should bring us great comfort:

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Also as we walk through pain and suffering of this world remember these words of Jesus:

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” ~ John 14:27

“And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” ~Matthew 28:20

I pray this post brings you encouragement as you walk through a tough season of life. Keep holding on and leaning into the promises of God. ~OC