Distress is defined as great pain, anxiety, or sorrow; acute physical or mental suffering; affliction; trouble. Is there anyone among us who has not suffered distress? There are many things in this life that can cause this dark shadow to fall upon us. I have a confession - I am frail. I see others endure great trials and stand strong. For me, sometimes the smallest of trials cause me to melt into tears. I am thankful though because no matter how weak I may feel, God is my rock. I know that it is through my weaknesses, He is made strong. I have seen and felt this too many times to ever doubt this beautiful truth. 2 Corinthians 12: 9-10 " But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
How do we find God's strength in our distress? In Psalm 22: 24, God reminds us He doesn't abandon us in our times of distress. "For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help." Psalm 31:7 "I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul." Psalm 10:17 " You, LORD, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry." This doesn't mean the circumstance will be removed, but what a comfort to know the Almighty God, Who created you hears your cry for help. Are you crying out to Him? He loves you and is there. He can give you a peace in your heart with what you are going through rather small or large. He can offer you the patience and trust you need- knowing this too shall pass. Beth Moore, wrote in her Bible study of Esther - you will get to the other side of it. 1 Peter 5:10 "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." Cling to this promise! Remember through our weakness, He is made strong in us. You don't have to carry your distress alone. You can make the choice to keep God by your side while you are working towards being restored, strong, firm and steadfast. Keeping ourselves close to the Lord is how our distress is tamed. Romans 12:12 " Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." God doesn't want to see us suffer, but we will suffer in this life. John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” We all long for comfort and peace. We will avoid suffering at all cost. Unfortunately we live in a fallen world - a world that is at war with God. One day however, God will restore all things, but this road to eternity takes us through many hardships. If we look at Christ and other people in the Bible, we see much suffering. My suffering is so minimal compared to theirs. Did Jesus suffer on the cross? Did the disciples suffer? Yes! We can mirror their mentality. We can look beyond our circumstances - look beyond the cross. There is redemption and glory that we too will share with Him.
Are you willing to stand on the assurance that God is able to carry you through all your suffering? God has a greater purpose we can't see. We have a tendency to want to take our circumstances out of God's hands and fix things. This could perhaps destroy His perfect plan for us. Be reminded we have a promise. Those who endure and wait on our faithful Father will be restored. It may be in this life time or it may be in Heaven. "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. " James 1:12
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