Even in emotional suffering: God-with-us. Seems trivial to compare unemployment to physical trials, but I've been thinking about how Christ himself did not earn a living during his ministry years, trusting his Father to provide day by day.
Yes—definitely. It’s not a trivial comparison at all. There are so many ways we feel helpless, and perhaps blame ourselves that we aren’t “more productive” when really he wants us to fully depend on him.
Thank you for this, Loren! We have lots of chronic health challenges in my family, so your topic is one that I've thought about often: as Christians, how are we to respond to suffering? I love your answer. Perhaps we are simply to respond in faith, holding on to the truth that God is with us, even -- perhaps especially -- in those moments when we can't feel His presence.
Yes! He of all persons knows our frailty and understands us. It’s freeing to know we can just rest and be in that truth—though it’s really hard when we can’t *feel* it.
I am glad that your back is feeling better! It is amazing how we take our bodies for granted until something goes wrong and it throws us for a major loop. Your inclination to think of those with chronic back pain is a fruitful one. When I was pregnant with my third son, I came down with Shingles during the third trimester. My case was caught early, thanks to my husband, and I was able to recover in a few weeks. I found the nerve pain to be tolerable during the day (which was good because I couldn't take anything for it really since I was pregnant), but it was hard to sleep at night. At night it felt like I was lying in the dark with pain. This got me to thinking about other people with Shingles. After all, the majority of Shingles cases occur in elderly people. As I though about elderly people in nursing homes with Shingles, I found myself praying for those people. All those who were bed-ridden with nerve pain and who didn't have occupation for their daytime hours. I even thanked God from time to time for understanding the pain of others better, but I will admit that I also prayed for the virus to run its course and let me heal (especially before my baby was born so he wouldn't get chicken pox as a newborn.)
I do believe that suffering serves a purpose, but sometimes we don't understand it this side of Heaven. While I agree with the idea of redemptive suffering, it can sometimes be mis-applied when others try to tell you what they think you should do with your suffering. I appreciate the insights people have about their own pain, that come from the fruit of their suffering. I have heard people nonchalantly suggest what other people should do with their pain and that feels like someone walking up to a fig tree and telling it to grow oranges. (Does that make sense?)
This makes a ton of sense, Jennifer. I’ve experienced well-meant “advice”—your analogy of the fig and orange is a good one. I know I shy away from giving grief advice even though we lost a child, mainly because I know all of us process things differently. I’ve had to learn how to share my experience in a way that someone can take it or leave it.
Also shingles while pregnant sounds awful! Probably a bit scary, too! I’m thankful you were able to navigate it and God could use your night hours.
Grief is indeed a very complicated thing. When you have shared about your losses in writing, I often get that sense that you are sharing your experiences without telling others how they should live their lives. I have found your writing on the topic to be inspiring.
Beautiful thoughts. I have also found it difficult to find the deep truths of scripture in hard seasons, but the Holy Spirit still brings to mind words I memorized in easier times. I think He knows our brains can't handle much at those times.
I am often reminded of a passage in Jane Eyre where she realizes she has to rely on the truths she learned “when she was sane” to get her through a time of intense turmoil. It’s always been a helpful reminder why it’s so vital to study the Bible and live in it when all is going well. It’s part of that leaf mould!
You mentioned "presence," which struck a chord with me. One of the ways God is with us is through community. We don't have to do this alone. In fact, we aren't supposed to.
Even in emotional suffering: God-with-us. Seems trivial to compare unemployment to physical trials, but I've been thinking about how Christ himself did not earn a living during his ministry years, trusting his Father to provide day by day.
Yes—definitely. It’s not a trivial comparison at all. There are so many ways we feel helpless, and perhaps blame ourselves that we aren’t “more productive” when really he wants us to fully depend on him.
Thank you for this, Loren! We have lots of chronic health challenges in my family, so your topic is one that I've thought about often: as Christians, how are we to respond to suffering? I love your answer. Perhaps we are simply to respond in faith, holding on to the truth that God is with us, even -- perhaps especially -- in those moments when we can't feel His presence.
Yes! He of all persons knows our frailty and understands us. It’s freeing to know we can just rest and be in that truth—though it’s really hard when we can’t *feel* it.
I am glad that your back is feeling better! It is amazing how we take our bodies for granted until something goes wrong and it throws us for a major loop. Your inclination to think of those with chronic back pain is a fruitful one. When I was pregnant with my third son, I came down with Shingles during the third trimester. My case was caught early, thanks to my husband, and I was able to recover in a few weeks. I found the nerve pain to be tolerable during the day (which was good because I couldn't take anything for it really since I was pregnant), but it was hard to sleep at night. At night it felt like I was lying in the dark with pain. This got me to thinking about other people with Shingles. After all, the majority of Shingles cases occur in elderly people. As I though about elderly people in nursing homes with Shingles, I found myself praying for those people. All those who were bed-ridden with nerve pain and who didn't have occupation for their daytime hours. I even thanked God from time to time for understanding the pain of others better, but I will admit that I also prayed for the virus to run its course and let me heal (especially before my baby was born so he wouldn't get chicken pox as a newborn.)
I do believe that suffering serves a purpose, but sometimes we don't understand it this side of Heaven. While I agree with the idea of redemptive suffering, it can sometimes be mis-applied when others try to tell you what they think you should do with your suffering. I appreciate the insights people have about their own pain, that come from the fruit of their suffering. I have heard people nonchalantly suggest what other people should do with their pain and that feels like someone walking up to a fig tree and telling it to grow oranges. (Does that make sense?)
This makes a ton of sense, Jennifer. I’ve experienced well-meant “advice”—your analogy of the fig and orange is a good one. I know I shy away from giving grief advice even though we lost a child, mainly because I know all of us process things differently. I’ve had to learn how to share my experience in a way that someone can take it or leave it.
Also shingles while pregnant sounds awful! Probably a bit scary, too! I’m thankful you were able to navigate it and God could use your night hours.
Grief is indeed a very complicated thing. When you have shared about your losses in writing, I often get that sense that you are sharing your experiences without telling others how they should live their lives. I have found your writing on the topic to be inspiring.
Thank you, Jennifer!
Beautiful thoughts. I have also found it difficult to find the deep truths of scripture in hard seasons, but the Holy Spirit still brings to mind words I memorized in easier times. I think He knows our brains can't handle much at those times.
I am often reminded of a passage in Jane Eyre where she realizes she has to rely on the truths she learned “when she was sane” to get her through a time of intense turmoil. It’s always been a helpful reminder why it’s so vital to study the Bible and live in it when all is going well. It’s part of that leaf mould!
that was a good read, deeply felt, presence.
"...we can rest in the truth that God is with us. Presence is the point." Amen! His presence is everything. What would we ever do without Him?
I appreciate these words!
You mentioned "presence," which struck a chord with me. One of the ways God is with us is through community. We don't have to do this alone. In fact, we aren't supposed to.
I’m so thankful this resonated with you!