Partners
In Hope

What To Do About Suffering

Thursday May 30, 2024
 

None of us will get through life without suffering.  What are we to do about it?  Many of us, while experiencing suffering, thought a substance or an addictive habit would bring us the relief we needed.  Sadly, not only was the comfort temporary, but the associated problems with our self-medication increased our suffering. 

Christ suffered here on earth. Now you must be ready to suffer as he did, because suffering shows that you have stopped sinning.  It means you have turned from your own desires and want to obey God for the rest of your life.  You have already lived long enough like people who don’t know God. You were immoral and followed your evil desires. You went around drinking and partying and carrying on. In fact, you even worshiped disgusting idols.  Now your former friends wonder why you have stopped running around with them, and they curse you for it.  But they will have to answer to God, who judges the living and the dead.  (1 Peter 4:1-5 CEV) 

One of the biggest challenges in sustaining our sobriety is trusting God to help us when trouble and sorrow come our way.  We may be unable to see an immediate solution to the problems we face and become fearful that the pain may overwhelm us.  It really feels like suffering to have to go without what we think we need.  Because we don’t have experience in allowing God to meet our needs, we struggle to trust Him.  There may be short-term pain in saying “No” to the obsession to use but God is faithful, and He will do what He promises.  The solution we need will come at just the right time.  

Jesus set us an example by the suffering He went through on our behalf.  He trusted that God knew what He was doing and was prepared to follow God’s will for His life.  God knows where we are at in life and He will provide what is needed to see us through any circumstance that presents itself.  Our part is simply to trust Him.


Prayer:  Loving God, help me to trust you in everything, even the painful challenges of daily life.  Help me to trust You to work all things together for good, even though that may mean temporary suffering for me. .  Amen

Audio for What To Do About Suffering

Recent Meditations

DON’T WORRY ABOUT TOMORROW
April 19, 2025
WHAT DOES JESUS’ DEATH HAVE TO DO WITH ADDICTION?
April 18, 2025
CARRYING THE MESSAGE BY ACTING WISELY
April 17, 2025
INSECURITY
April 16, 2025
THE HIDDEN KINDNESS OF GOD
April 15, 2025
See all

Giving Hope

Partners in Hope is supported wholly by our friends and community. We are thankful to everyone who partners with us to help bring hope to the discouraged, hurting, and hopeless.