Making the Most of Every Opportunity

I pray this series (click here to read posts 1 , 2 , 3 , and 4 ) has been a blessing and help to you as you prepare for suffering or endure through. I want to end by sharing wisdom from a blog that has encouraged me so deeply. I LOVE this sweet truth Ray Ortlund  (you should go scroll through more of his blog ) points out in the midst of suffering: He will restore us. “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 5:10-11 And after you have suffered a little while .... Your suffering is real. “A little while” does not trivialize it. But suffering is not the rest of your story. It will end, and soon – as measured by the actual, eternal grandeur of your life. the God of all grace. ... He has remedies, comforts and powers for every need, every occasion, every moment. who has called yo...

If you've been following along, you know I've been posting a series to prep our hearts for suffering in our own lives ( Post 1 ), what to do with our questions in grief ( Post 2 ), and how to be a friend to those suffering ( Post 3 ). Today, I'm memorizing promises in suffering. Not to spout them off as fact to my hurting friends, but to stay my mind on God's promises, so when my day comes, they will be seeds planted that I pray will bear fruit in my heart. this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen .   - 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 Paul says this suffering is preparing us and in it we should look heavenward to understand it. Numerous times scripture even says to rejoice in it. Let’s look at a few truths we can cling to for truth and hope as we endure suffering and entrust ourselves to God in it. Through suffering… We Know Jesus More: “rejo...

I've been sharing about suffering. In  Post 1 I shared resources and in Post 2 I looked at the questions Jesus asked in the midst of His own suffering. Today, I want to talk about being a friend to the suffering. " God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus ,and not only by his coming but also by the comfort with which he was comforted by you, as he told us of your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced still more."- 2 Corinthians 7:6-7 This verse means so much to me. In times of deepest despair, I have cried out to God and He has answered me through His Word. This verse of comfort is one tangible way. God shows us His nearness in our suffering through His people. Isn't that just like God?  Sometimes He seems far in those dark days, but His Word says He is comforting us then. He doesn't leave us alone in our suffering. He comforts us by sending others to mourn with us, cry with us, hope for us when we feel hopeless...

  Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying,  “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?”  that is,  “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”Matthew 27:46 There are some sufferings that are just impossible to stand up under. Some losses go beyond grief and into despair. I have felt very few of these, but when they came, I could barely breathe, let alone preach the gospel to others watching. But God was faithful to draw me to Himself in it and show Himself to be so real as I clung to His promises. Today, I find myself drawn to others who suffer, many suffering in far worse way than I'll ever know. I pray for them as they grieve, or endure hard seasons, and while they are dying. I pray that they will know our God of Comfort deeper because they are experiencing it. I pray that He will be real and near to them in it. I pray that He'll strengthen them in His strength to endure and to trust in Him through their suffering and enjoy the rewards in heaven later through it. Some peop...

I share with you last week a prayer request for our family. It leads to a good thought:Where do you go for comfort when someone you love is sick or dies? What about seasons of suffering that go on and on and the end seems so far? Who will help us grieve and suffer authentically and yet draw us nearer to God in it? I want to share in some specific Scripture God has used in my life throughout in the next few posts, but first let me suggest a few resources to turn to: - Plant yourself in His Word : Only God can comfort us and He will fully comfort those who seek Him! His Word is our truth, our rock, and our firm foundation. Trust Him for your full peace and comfort as you crack open His Word. Pray and ask Him to guide you as You read.  If you don't carry your Bible with you daily, the best  Bible for download  i know is the ESV version. It's completely free to download-yay!!!! You can put it on your Kindle, iphone, etc and have it with you anywhere you are. - Counse...