Many times over the past year and a half, I’ve asked God “why?” Sometimes out of anger, sometimes out of sadness, and sometimes out of confusion. My mind is always in problem-solver/analytical mode and with that default setting, I prefer to have all the answers and be able to make sense of my circumstances and surroundings. But when I found my life flipped upside down out of what seemed like nowhere, I couldn’t possibly make sense of it. Suffering was suddenly present; an unwelcome guest with what seemed like no plans of leaving anytime soon.

The concept of suffering tends to elicit a reflex-like push back. Why does God sit and watch us suffer before coming to our rescue? Won’t he deliver me from something that’s hurting me? Isn’t suffering and persecution something we should avoid?

As many things do in the Bible, scripture and God’s word often contradicts our human nature. When it comes to suffering and persecution, we often have a choice: fight or flight. If we’re being honest, we tend to spend a lot of time in flight-mode, or at the very least on standby to take flight at any moment. We avoid pain and hurt like the plague, but this quest is in vain.

We are assured that we will encounter suffering in this lifetime dwelling in a fallen world. I don’t believe we should create situations and circumstances of suffering through poor choices or self-inflicted chaos; live life with a clear conscience and an obedient heart. With that being said, we will walk through fires in this lifetime. Just as we have seasons of prosperity and joy, painful seasons will come as well. In those seasons, we’re called to stand and fight.

How to Fight

It is once we’ve decided to fight through our suffering that God comes alongside us & holds us up, allowing us to lean on his strength for the fight. Even in this situation it’s easy to lean on our human reflex of self-reliance. We tell ourselves “I can do it myself. I just have to power through it.” This “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” approach is not only unnecessary, it also isn’t replicable universally.

First of all, this mindset is one that makes each and every trial 10000000% more difficult than it has to be. Our trials are difficult at face value, why would we reject the assistance of the One who guarantees victory upon that reliance? Choosing Him is choosing the easiest path to victory we can.

Secondly, as Christians, we don’t live life for just ourselves; we’re called to live in such a way that encourages and gives hope to others. Seeing as we are each unique and individually made, this self-reliant mindset isn’t replicable for everyone. Each and every one of us thinks differently, acts differently, and is made differently, so the “pull myself up by my bootstraps” approach will never be a one size fits all or even works for all solution. The one size fits all solution is only possible if we are all drawing strength from the same constant, steady source. God promises to be that source, ready and available every single time for guidance, comfort, and strength.

For me, especially in those first days after losing Blakely, this looked like spending time with Jesus daily, reading His word, vocalizing my grief, sadness, and anger in each and every prayer, listening to Him speak to me through others, and sharing that struggle with others, especially with my husband and vice versa. I was never alone in my suffering, and by falling back on Jesus and those he surrounded me with, I became more confident in that fact and less reliant on myself to make it through the day.

Friends, we will encounter suffering in this life, but rest assured there is an abundance of hope that never fails and never runs out. We don’t have to or need to rely on our own strength to “make it”; and that, my friends is an indescribable amount of relief.

Respond: Where have you been trying to find your hope outside of God?

Suggested song: Even When It Hurts- Hillsong United