It seems that every week I hear of someone else. Someone who is dealing with tremendous pain and suffering. And it’s all right around me. People suffering heavy heartache through deaths of loved ones, young adults living with depression and suicidal thoughts, parents dealing with wayward children, friends suffering serious illnesses, loved ones helplessly watching family members destroy themselves through addiction and mental illness—and these are just a few things that have recently crossed my path. If we were to each write down the names and hardships of the people we know, and then combine them, I’m certain the specific situations would be extensive and the list very, very long.

At times, and sometimes often, life is extremely heavy.

When I read scripture, specifically about suffering and trials, I should not be surprised. The Bible is clear that as followers of Christ we will have suffering, trials, and hardship.

Just a few reminders that I’ve recently read (the emphasis is mine):

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness” James 1:2-3

” … you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith … may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:6-7

“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” Psalm 34:19

So if suffering is to be part of my life as a Christ follower, how do I deal with the day in and day out of it all? Read these words from Philippians, chapter four:

“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (vv. 6-7)

Pray—Let Your Requests Be Made Know to God 

I don’t know about you, but if I take the time to sit, to be quiet, and to talk to God about what’s troubling me, I really do feel better afterwards. There’s something about being still before my Heavenly Father and telling him what’s on my heart and mind.

Take the time to pray. Don’t mull over in your head again and again the situation of which you have no control. This will cause even more anxiety. When worry, sadness, or other negative thoughts flood your mind again, pray.

Thanksgiving—Be Thankful No Matter What

There are many places in scripture where we are told to be thankful. And even when situations look grim, we are still to be thankful. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 comes to mind (the emphasis is mine):

“give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 

There have been plenty of days this year when I didn’t want to pray, when I didn’t want to sit before my Heavenly Father and tell him about or ask him for anything. Perhaps not the best attitude, yet it’s true. Still on those days or shortly after them, I have tried to remember to say, not my will but yours, Lord Jesus, help me to be thankful.

Am I thankful for the hard circumstance? No. Am I thankful that I have a good Heavenly Father who loves me, wants his best for me, is entirely in control of ALL things no matter what it looks like to me, is working this circumstance for my good and his glory? Yes.

So I will say thank you. Thank you, God, that you are working in me in ways I cannot see nor understand. But because of what I know from your Word about your character, and what I have previously experienced in my life while walking with you, I will say thank you.

The Peace of God—Guarding Our Hearts and Minds

What a great word…peace. Don’t we all want peace in our hearts and minds? A state of tranquility or quiet; a state of security or order; a state of rest; freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions. These definitions of peace sound really good to me, and these are what I seek based on Philippians 4:6-7.

The peace of God guarding my heart and mind from oppresive thoughts and emotions; giving me rest and security; tranquility, order, and quiet. The peace of God that is difficult to explain because it surpasses all human understanding.

And do you want to know the ironic thing about Philippians 4:6-7? Several years back, our precious John was the first person I remember who pointed out to me the “with thanksgiving” part. I had paraphrased and said the verses to him, and he replied to me something like, “don’t forget the thankful part, Momma”. I went right away and looked up the verses in my Bible, and there it was. It’s easy to skip right over that part, isn’t it? Just pray and get peace? But instead it says to pray with a thankful heart.

Don’t be anxious—instead pray. Pray—but with thanksgiving. Be thankful in submission to God—experience peace that watches over your heart and mind. Peace that many may not understand, but is a glorious supernatural gift from our loving Heavenly Father.

 

Quoted scripture is from the ESV unless otherwise noted.