The “Suffering”

Merriam-Webster defines “suffer” in so many ways but the 2 definitions that really stick out to me are:
1. to endure death, pain, or distress
2. to sustain loss or damage

If you happened to stumble upon this blog, then I am going to take a wild guess that you too may be in a season where Merriam-Webster accurately describes your current state of being.

You may be going through a season in your life right now where you have grown so frustrated because of all the losses and pain you’ve experienced. Every time you sit and think about your current circumstances, the tears cannot stop from running down your cheeks. No one seems to understand what you are going through. You may be like me where you are not even looking for a cheerleader or a “yes” man but for someone just to see and acknowledge your feelings. You have been doing everything to fight the spirit of depression even though the heaviness is there. Headaches. Sleepless nights. Lashing out. Lack of appetite. Weight loss. Weight gain. You name it and it’s all a part of your resume.

I laid over my bathroom sink right before writing this blog hours later sobbing, asking God “Why? Why are you allowing me to suffer like this? Why did you put me in this position? I put others’ needs before my own. I made sure others were taken care of. I’ve sown seeds. I’ve prayed for a breakthrough. I’ve fasted for a miracle. I’ve been faithful. I’ve been serving. Doing what you’ve asked of me and yet, I am here, years later, still lacking. Why God why?” I managed to get in bed, pull the covers over me, and lie there, wondering Why. Laying there, I began asking God through the tears to show me the lesson that you are trying to teach me. And you know what God did? He reminded me of Job, Joseph, Ruth and Naomi, Hannah [and Sarah], and Daniel. If you do not know their stories, I urge you to read them! Each one of them suffered greatly.

Job lost everything that he has owned. His children died. And he suffered physical agony (The book of Job).
Joseph’s brothers plotted against him by throwing him in a pit and sold him as a slave, and while as a slave, being falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife (The book of Genesis).
Naomi lost her husband and two sons, in which one of her sons was married to Ruth. (The book of Ruth).
Hannah went years without having her deepest and longest desire: a child. For years Peninnah, Elkanah’s other wife, ridiculed Hannah for her infertility. (The book of 1 Samuel). [Sarah is another woman of the Bible who suffered from infertility (The book of Genesis)].
Daniel was thrown in the lion’s den because he prayed to God (The book of Daniel).

No one wants to be in a place of suffering but if we use these stories as a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our path (Psalm 119:105), we will find peace in our own story. The peace comes knowing that there is blessing on the other side. God blessed these people of faith tremendously.

Job
“The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys. And he also had seven sons and three daughters. After this, Job lived a hundred and forty years; he saw his children and their children to the fourth generation,” (Job 42: 12-13, 16).

Joseph
Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of the whole land of Egypt (Genesis 41:41).
Joseph was able to provide food for his family in the time of famine (Genesis 47).

Ruth and Naomi
Naomi wasn’t alone as she gained a daughter-in-law who wanted to serve her God and wanted to be by her side (Ruth 1:17-18).
Ruth marries Boaz (Ruth 4:9).
Naomi gains a son (Ruth 4:13-16).

Hannah
“And the Lord was gracious to Hannah; she gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord,” (1 Samuel 2:21).

Sarah
“The Lord blessed Sarah, as he had promised, and she became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham when he was old. The boy was born at the time God had said he would be born. Abraham named him Isaac…Abraham was a hundred years old when Isaac was born. ” (Genesis 21:1-3)

Daniel
Man wanted to have the final say → “A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s situation might not be changed,” (Daniel 6:17)
Outcome? → ​​” “My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.” The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God,” (Daniel 6:22-23)

I want to tell you that there is blessing on the other side of your suffering. I can say that with confidence because these characters were living proof of it. These biblical characters chose to trust God even when everything around them went wrong. Their stories teaches us about the promises and faithfulness of God, even if we feel like everything has been lost.

Their blessings didn’t come because of who they were. The blessings happened because they rode out the suffering. They didn’t run from it. They didn’t try to make things happen on their own. They didn’t move until God told them to move. They stayed the course. They drew closer to God. They allowed God to work, never going before Him but following after Him. It wasn’t easy but they didn’t give up. Their suffering raised them up to the highest of heights. And because of their obedience to remain in the suffering while God worked on their behalf, generations following were blessed.

God is taking us through a season of “suffering” to stretch us. He wants us to be fully dependent on Him so that He can provide, comfort, deliver, and heal us. But most importantly, to reveal Himself to us in a way that we have never experienced before. Be humble and be faithful in this season of your life. Your reward is on the other side! Stay the course friend!

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