For Jesus followers, the sole objective of moving through suffering is not for God to deliver us out of the suffering, but to know Him while we are in it.

There is something about suffering that draws us close to the Lord. Maybe it’s the fact that the situation is beyond our control. Maybe it’s the fact that the situation is too much for us to comprehend or even begin to wrap our minds around. Either way, it’s become clear to me that in enduring, in going through hard times, Jesus wants us to know Him. Our enduring isn’t solely about being able to “come out on the other side,” or talk about how Jesus delivered us from a situation, though these things are equally important. But what often gets overlooked, particularly by me in this instance, is that suffering creates a particular intimacy with God that is hard to achieve otherwise. Should we have to struggle each day of our lives? No. But there will be struggle in our lives (John 16:33), so when the occasions do arise, we can turn what may feel like a crucible into a time of communion with our God. It may be an unpopular truth, but it’s time-tested: “My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees.” Psalm 119:17 (NLT). Also, “In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, He will restore, support, and strengthen you, and He will place you on a firm foundation.” 1 Peter 5:10 (NLT).

For me, turning to God in hard times means opening up my Bible. And when I delve into the Bible, whether listening to it in my car, or reading its pages in stolen (and planned) moments in the morning or throughout the day, I’m reminded that His Word works.¹ In the Bible, I see the Lord’s patience, his kindness, his goodness, and his care for his creation. In the Bible, I get wisdom and peace to face each new day. In reading the Bible I am reassured that Jesus cares for me (1 Peter 5:7), that He is concerned about my life (Psalm 138:8 (NKJV)) , and that He will lead and guide me as I continue to ask for direction (Psalm 32:8 (NLT)). And these truths give me reassurance and confidence that it will all be okay. I may not know what the end of my situation will be, but I have Jesus, and so I know it will be all right.

1. Which is also the title of this really powerful sermon I heard Memorial Day Weekend. ↩︎