In my lifetime I cannot recall such a time of extended corporate suffering and grief. It seems that we are being attacked from every angle these days. Godly people with strong faith are not exempt – in fact they are perhaps more highly aware of the effects of these times on their very souls. Whether we are more sensitive to the political climate, the isolation of the pandemic, or the financial strain of an ever-changing economic culture, most of us are affected by some type of suffering and grief. So how are we – as believers – to respond?
We can respond to suffering and grief by resting in His Word.
It is difficult to rest in something you don’t know or don’t believe in. Spending time in God’s Word helps us to know Him, to understand Him, to rest in Him. We can become confident in His truth when we hide it in our hearts and we see it play out in our lives. There is comfort in knowing and acknowledging the power and sovereignty of God.
“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.”
Isaiah 30:15
We can respond to suffering and grief by reminding our soul.
I have always strongly identified with the words of Luke 2:19, “Mary treasure up all these things and pondered in her heart.”. I am also one who ponders – but I don’t always treasure the right thoughts. Colossians 4:2 tells us to “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” And then reminds us in verse 15 to “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.” When I ponder or treasure thoughts of anger, resentment, rejection, grief, and suffering, I am not encouraging my soul. It is not bad to have these thoughts and feelings – in fact we should pour them out honestly to God – but we must not allow ourselves to ponder them. Instead, we need to remind our own soul how faithful God is.
“Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.”
Psalm 62:5
We can respond to suffering and grief by remaining in relationship with Him.
David reminds us, in Psalm 139 that “Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely.” God knows what we think and feel without us telling Him, but we demonstrate that we trust Him with our hearts when we pour it out to Him. Knowing that God knows and sees us is wonderful, but inviting Him to know and see us – and to lead us – is even more powerful. We enter into, and remain in relationship with Him when we cooperate with the work He is doing in our hearts.
In the beginning of Psalm 139 David acknowledges that God searches him and knows him. It is a psalm of praise, awe, and even submission. In the last couple of verses of 139, David uses similar language. “Search me, God, and know my heart.” Notice the shift from acknowledgement to a request for more. David asks God to search him – examine him – and to lead him. There is now more than acknowledgement and submission to authority – there is cooperation and a desire to be searched, known, and led. David embraces God’s perspective and power as he makes a huge step from wonder to willingness.
”Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Psalm 139:23-34
We can respond to suffering and grief in love.
It may seem out of place to expect a response of love in the midst of our own suffering, but this is the power of God and His Word. Not that we will avoid it all, but that we are transformed as we respond to that suffering and grief by filling our hearts and minds with the knowledge of Him. When we submit our thoughts and feelings to God in faith – He can move us to action through that faith. And what does that action look like? It always looks like love.
“The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.”
Galatians 5:6b
My friend, my prayer for you today is that you will treasure all of this up in your heart and ponder God’s great love for you. -and may you respond in love today.