Suffering comes to all of us in various ways and to varying degrees through out our lives.
There are things we go through that in the moment seem big but afterward when we have some perspective of time and distance we realize those same incidents were smaller than they originally seemed.
Other times there is just no denying the heaviness and weight of some suffering. We know it and recognize it and those around us know it and recognize it. It’s big suffering.
Right now I know people who are all suffering to varying degrees.
I know people dealing with the recent death of loved ones.
I know people struggling with health issues.
I know people dealing with hard decisions and difficult situations.
I have friends who are just weary and need rest.
I know people facing their own lack and shortcomings as spouses and parents.
I know the struggles I face with my sin on a daily basis.
No matter where you are in this moment or what situation you might be facing, know that the God who created everything out of nothing sees you. He knows you. He knows where you are right now and He knows where you will be tomorrow and the day after that and the day after that.
Take heart, friend. Be reminded of this truth shared by Tim Keller ~
“Christianity teaches that, contra fatalism, suffering is overwhelming;
contra Buddhism, suffering is real;
contra karma, suffering is often unfair;
but contra secularism, suffering is meaningful.
There is a purpose to it, and if faced rightly, it can drive us like a nail deep into the love of God and into more stability and spiritual power than you can imagine.”
What beautiful hope we have knowing that, big or small, our suffering drives us closer to God!
Sharing at Candidly Christian
The Common Place 