Good morning, friends. This morning, I have a dear one on my heart, as she goes for her chemo treatment. It’s done my heart good to see her courage through this time of suffering. She is an inspiration to many of us.

Suffering…part of life. We wish it weren’t so. Nobody likes to suffer pain or loss. Though our pain is different in many ways, it’s all the same aching of our hearts for wholeness. We suffer the loss of a job, a marriage, a child, our home, our health, a friendship…all these things leave gaping holes in our hearts. We don’t like it, nor do we welcome suffering. Neither did Jesus.

Remember? Remember Jesus asking God to “take this cup from Me”? Yet, Jesus absolutely knew why He came to earth. He knew it was God’s will for Him to take the sins of the world on His shoulders; to suffer and die for all of us. Still, in His heart, He fought the suffering. And so do we. If only we could see ahead, to realize all the good that can come out of it, maybe we wouldn’t fight so hard. Maybe if we could trust God in our suffering, we’d find it easier to learn all that He wants us to learn, through it. Jesus, Himself, was made complete after the suffering He endured.

Hebrews 5:8,9 says: Though He was God’s Son, He learned obedience through what He suffered. After He was perfected, He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him.

Suffering was always part of God’s plan for Jesus, and so it is with us. If you become bitter over that fact, you close off some of your life to Him. Some places in our souls can only be reached through suffering. Those who have experienced this, are happy to testify of all they learned through their experiences. Many who otherwise may never call on the name of the Lord, do so when life gets hard. Thank God they do. And many will use that experience to help others suffering in the same way, maybe by being a comrade through the dark times, or by helping lead them to Christ, just as they did.

Friends, we’d do well to stop fighting the suffering that God allows in our lives. Instead, we ought to embrace the lessons learned on our way to healing. Listen, God didn’t spare His own Son, but allowed Him to suffer for all of us. Even when we’re hurting, we can learn the lessons, just as Jesus did. What I love so much about God’s tenderness towards us is this…He’s already gone ahead of us. He knows our pain, and He offers to comfort us and help us through…He says:

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

Jesus found victory through His suffering; so can we. This is not a fun topic to write about…but we all suffer. As much as I’d like to avoid talking about it, it’s necessary. Somebody needs to hear and remember, Jesus suffered for us. Look what He gave to us by doing so. Can we hold onto Him through our suffering, and let the world see Him in us? Yes, yes we can.

Lord, please be near to my sister in Christ, who is suffering with cancer this morning. Thank You for being so faithful to draw her heart to Yours. Through her decision to follow You, she will find healing now for her soul. Bless her in a mighty way this morning, and I pray that You use her testimony to reach many others who suffer. Be with each of us in our suffering, Lord. Thank You for holding our hands, and holding us up through it all. We love You, Lord. In Jesus’ name, I Pray. Amen.

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Debby Renninger is a freelance writer and inspirational speaker. She holds a Bible study in her home in McVeytown, where seeking women are always welcome. She may be reached at (717) 250-7086 for speaking engagements.