Hope in The Midst of Suffering
By Abundant Robert K. AWOLUGUTU
Lamentations 3:21-24 says: “Yet hope returns when I remember this one thing:
The LORD’S unfailing love and mercy still continue, Fresh as the morning, as sure as the sunrise. The LORD is all I have, and so I put my hope in him.”
One of the fundamental truths about life is that all human beings experience suffering but in varying degrees of intensity. Suffering is not something that you must strive to avoid in life. Hear Thomas Merton: “The truth that many people never understand, until it is too late, is that the more you try to avoid suffering, the more you suffer because smaller and more insignificant things begin to torture you in proportion to your fear of being hurt.” Merton’s message is clear; suffering is inevitable.
Your ability to cope with the calamities that plague your life will determine whether you will aspire or expire. Sometimes our suffering may be self-inflicted or imposed by our enemies. Things may not be going the way we want. Disappointments, discouragements, worry and anxiety may be the major causes of our pain and suffering.
How do you react when you write an examination and fail? What about business failure? What about when your marriage is on the brink of collapsing? What about being surrounded by your enemies who want to destroy you?
What will be your reaction when you have to spend time in prison for an offence you have not committed? What about situations such as homelessness and joblessness? What about having to battle with a debilitating disease such as HIV/AIDS or cancer?
Some people may lose hope which can lead to the deepening of their woes and suffering. Bible has the best counsel for those who may find themselves in the midst of calamity. According to the scriptures, there is one thing to remember: “The LORD’S unfailing love and mercy still continue, Fresh as the morning, as sure as the sunrise.” Your suffering has an expiry date and that is when God shows up in your life. God’s love for you transcends all circumstances. You must place your hope in God because as his word says, “The LORD’s unfailing love and mercy will still continue.”
The LORD will arise and defend you even when your circumstances dictate otherwise. The LORD will always help those who put their trust in him.
Do not allow your problems to overwhelm you. 2Corinthians 5:7 says, “For our life is a matter of faith, not of sight.” Faith is the energizer of life. With faith you can perform miracles. You can do the impossible. You can be a winner. God will fight your battles for you if you will but obey his instructions and commandments.
In Philippians 4:6 the word of God says, “Don’t worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart.” Thank God for your life. You are alive because he has a lot of business to do with you. He is keeping you alive because there are certain things he wants to accomplish through you.
Even when all hope appears to have perished, do not give up. The King of glory will clothe you with his unfailing love and mercy. Be patient and wait for God’s intervention which will surely come.
Human beings will fail you but not the living God. What is the trouble with you? God is at hand to save you. In Isaiah 43:1-4, the word of God says, “Israel, the LORD who created you says, “Do not be afraid- I will save you. I have called you by name- you are mine. When you pass through deep waters, I will be with you; your troubles will not overwhelm you. When you pass through fire, you will not be burnt; the hard trials that come will not hurt you. For I am the LORD your God, the holy God of Israel, who saves you. I will give up Egypt to set you free; I will give up Ethiopia and Seba. I will give up whole nations to save your life, because you are precious to me and because I love you and give you honour.”
Friend, if you are not precious to anyone, you are to God. And that is why he will save you from troubles. God will jealously guard and protect you because you are precious to him.
You should not give up on your dreams. To every cloud there is a silver lining.
In conclusion, God loves you and will protect you. In Psalm 121 the word of God says, “The LORD will protect you from all danger; he will keep you safe. He will protect you as you come and go now and for ever.” You are a winner. Go on and be it.
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