One day last week, I was having a really tough time. Everything kind of felt like it was falling apart, I was overwhelmed and truly just feeling discouraged. As I went throughout my day, I realized that I was allowing all of these “struggles” to have too much power over me. It was putting me in a place of frustration and anger, instead of joy and praise. I was so focused on all of these bad things that were happening to me that I couldn’t focus on any of the good and the blessings God has given me. So, my question is this: what would it look like for us to respond to struggles and suffering with praise and worship to the Lord? How different would our days look if we chose to see trials as blessings and a way to look more like Jesus?
I’ve always loved the story of Job in the Bible because the way he lived his life portrays this idea so well. Job is described as a man that was blameless and upright, fearing God and shunning evil. He was a father of seven sons and three daughters and owned thousands of sheep, camels, oxen and donkeys. One day, the angels presented themselves before God, and they were joined by Satan. Satan was convinced that if he were to take everything Job had, he would curse God and turn from Him. In Job 1:12, the Lord says, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.” So, Satan proceeds to take everything from him; his children, his servants, his animals. Satan even goes as far as inflicting physical pain on Job. And yet, after all that suffering, Job still refuses to curse God. He responds with “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” (Job 1:21) PRAISED. Even through everything that he goes through and everything that he lost, he still responds in a way that glorifies God. He still recognizes that God is good and reacts with praise.
While Job lived this out so well, the best example for us to look at is Jesus Christ. He endured the worst suffering of all, yet glorified God in every moment. In pain, in suffering, in confusion, in loneliness. No matter where you are or what you’re going through, God is still sovereign over everything. It can be so easy to focus on only the negative things that happen to us and ask, “God, why? Why is this happening to ME?” What I want to challenge us all with, myself included, is to always seek the Lord first, to trust that He is working all things for our good and that He sanctifies us in the midst of our suffering. If we allow ourselves to dwell on the bad and choose to not move forward in it, we risk missing out on an opportunity to look more like Jesus and could fully stepping into the purpose that God has for us.
All throughout scripture, we are told that in this life we are going to face trials. We will experience trouble and suffering, but we are called to rejoice in it! Because through those trials we are being sanctified and, if we are obedient, we will be blessed and rewarded by God. Colossians 1:24 says, “Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.” James 1:2-4 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” John 16:33 says, ““I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” These verses remind us that there is still hope and we still serve a good God, no matter how tough the situation.
Suffering is hard. Facing trials is not fun. It can seem weird or unnatural to praise God when we are hurting, because it’s a lot easier to be mad or just sit in your sadness. But the Lord does not want us to miss out on the opportunity of growth that he provides us in these moments. As Christians, we are set apart. We look different. Choose joy and praise in the midst of suffering and the Lord will meet you there.
Challenges:
- Write out 3 things that you are thankful for each day. This small practice helps shift your mind to a place of gratefulness, allowing you to come from a place of abundance when you face your harder days.
- Praise God! Literally. Maybe it’s in your journal, in prayer or while talking to a friend, but actively think about and voice what you are praising God for and why!
- Let people in. You guys already know that I am huge on community and the importance of it. When you let people in and allow them to walk through life with you, the trials and the struggles are easier because you have people around that can constantly encourage you, love you and remind you of the Lord’s goodness.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for this wonderful day! Thank you that even in the midst of suffering, we can learn to praise you! We praise you because you do not leave us alone in our struggles, but you walk through them with us and you sanctify us through them. Help us to shift our mindset to worship you and all you are doing in us. May every single person reading this be reminded that you are still good, and you are still kind. I pray for those that are suffering right now. I pray that their hearts be softened and that they seek you above all else, growing and learning how to look more like you! Thank you for sending your Son to save us and thank you that there is grace when we fall short. May we do all things for your glory, your honor and your praise! We love you! I pray all these things in Jesus’ name! Amen!
One day last week, I was having a really tough time. Everything kind of felt like it was falling apart, I was overwhelmed and truly just feeling discouraged. As I went throughout my day, I realized that I was allowing all of these “struggles” to have too much power over me. It was putting me in a place of frustration and anger, instead of joy and praise. I was so focused on all of these bad things that were happening to me that I couldn’t focus on any of the good and the blessings God has given me. So, my question is this: what would it look like for us to respond to struggles and suffering with praise and worship to the Lord? How different would our days look if we chose to see trials as blessings and a way to look more like Jesus?
I’ve always loved the story of Job in the Bible because the way he lived his life portrays this idea so well. Job is described as a man that was blameless and upright, fearing God and shunning evil. He was a father of seven sons and three daughters and owned thousands of sheep, camels, oxen and donkeys. One day, the angels presented themselves before God, and they were joined by Satan. Satan was convinced that if he were to take everything Job had, he would curse God and turn from Him. In Job 1:12, the Lord says, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.” So, Satan proceeds to take everything from him; his children, his servants, his animals. Satan even goes as far as inflicting physical pain on Job. And yet, after all that suffering, Job still refuses to curse God. He responds with “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” (Job 1:21) PRAISED. Even through everything that he goes through and everything that he lost, he still responds in a way that glorifies God. He still recognizes that God is good and reacts with praise.
While Job lived this out so well, the best example for us to look at is Jesus Christ. He endured the worst suffering of all, yet glorified God in every moment. In pain, in suffering, in confusion, in loneliness. No matter where you are or what you’re going through, God is still sovereign over everything. It can be so easy to focus on only the negative things that happen to us and ask, “God, why? Why is this happening to ME?” What I want to challenge us all with, myself included, is to always seek the Lord first, to trust that He is working all things for our good and that He sanctifies us in the midst of our suffering. If we allow ourselves to dwell on the bad and choose to not move forward in it, we risk missing out on an opportunity to look more like Jesus and could fully stepping into the purpose that God has for us.
All throughout scripture, we are told that in this life we are going to face trials. We will experience trouble and suffering, but we are called to rejoice in it! Because through those trials we are being sanctified and, if we are obedient, we will be blessed and rewarded by God. Colossians 1:24 says, “Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.” James 1:2-4 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” John 16:33 says, ““I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” These verses remind us that there is still hope and we still serve a good God, no matter how tough the situation.
Suffering is hard. Facing trials is not fun. It can seem weird or unnatural to praise God when we are hurting, because it’s a lot easier to be mad or just sit in your sadness. But the Lord does not want us to miss out on the opportunity of growth that he provides us in these moments. As Christians, we are set apart. We look different. Choose joy and praise in the midst of suffering and the Lord will meet you there.
Challenges:
- Write out 3 things that you are thankful for each day. This small practice helps shift your mind to a place of gratefulness, allowing you to come from a place of abundance when you face your harder days.
- Praise God! Literally. Maybe it’s in your journal, in prayer or while talking to a friend, but actively think about and voice what you are praising God for and why!
- Let people in. You guys already know that I am huge on community and the importance of it. When you let people in and allow them to walk through life with you, the trials and the struggles are easier because you have people around that can constantly encourage you, love you and remind you of the Lord’s goodness.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for this wonderful day! Thank you that even in the midst of suffering, we can learn to praise you! We praise you because you do not leave us alone in our struggles, but you walk through them with us and you sanctify us through them. Help us to shift our mindset to worship you and all you are doing in us. May every single person reading this be reminded that you are still good, and you are still kind. I pray for those that are suffering right now. I pray that their hearts be softened and that they seek you above all else, growing and learning how to look more like you! Thank you for sending your Son to save us and thank you that there is grace when we fall short. May we do all things for your glory, your honor and your praise! We love you! I pray all these things in Jesus’ name! Amen!