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How, Lord … can I endure this suffering?
In the Word
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds (Psalm 147:3).
Of the Word
All of us will inevitably experience trials, sorrows, and disappointments that test our faith. We may silently ask, or cry aloud, “How can I endure this?” Perhaps we question why God is so slow coming to our rescue or we may even wonder where God is in the midst of all this suffering.
We must hold fast to Jesus’ promise: “And remember that I am always with you until the end of time” (Matthew 28:20b GOD’S WORD). He is in the midst of our struggle and He assures us He will get us through it. God understands human suffering. He watched His Son suffer on the cross to save us; He watched those who loved Jesus mourn for Him.
Suffering is not a sign that God has abandoned us. He does hear our pleas for relief. He may not take away whatever it is that challenges us, but our faithful Father knows us by name. He will not allow our trials to go on forever.
Walking with my Lord
Father, forgive my fears that You have abandoned me. Turn my weakness into strength and my fears into faith. Turn my tears into the joy that Jesus’ loved ones had when they saw their resurrected Savior, for He is my Savior, too. In His loving name I pray. Amen.
Mustard Seed: How, Lord? Marcia Gomulka and Myrna Lou Meyer, authors. 13/32 ©2011 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked (GOD’S WORD) are taken from GOD’S WORD ®, © 1995, God’s Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group.
