Don’t forget that this affliction you’re going through right now is to make you more like Jesus.
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Hi, I’m Joni with a few encouragements for when you hurt.
Because if you’re like me, difficult trials and times of great pain can sway your emotions. You’re flat on your back in pain, or you are reeling from some great disappointment, and you find yourself floundering to keep your spiritual bearings. Well, if that’s you, I have got a couple of encouragements to keep you on a steady course through the most difficult of times. When I am in affliction, these are the things I like to recall.
First, that God is in complete control of your trial, whether it concerns how hard things get, or how long the difficulty lasts. The Lord says in Isaiah 46, “I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things yet not done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.’” Oh friend, if you are hurting and bewildered about it all, remember that God will accomplish his purpose through it all. None of it is a mistake; none of it involves a toss of the cosmic dice. God has a plan for you in this terrible trial, and he will see you through. I’m saying that as a quadriplegic of more than 50 years in a wheelchair.
Next, please be comforted in your trial knowing that God has great, great compassion for you. He’s a father, and no father takes great pleasure in seeing his children go through pain. Lamentations 3 assures you that God’s love and mercies never cease; his compassion on you never comes to an end. And he will give you strength – new mercies every morning to help you through the day.
Another thing to remember when you are going through a time of suffering is that Jesus will never leave you nor will he forsake you. He suffered on his cross, he was rejected by his friends, he was abandoned by his followers, he went without fellowship and support in his deepest time of need, all so that he might say to you, “I will never forsake you, I will never leave you.” So draw encouragement from that!
Something else that will keep you in your trial is knowing that God is completely with you in your affliction. God firmly tells you in Isaiah 43, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” Wow! Another thing that should encourage you in your suffering is to know – and I mean, to really know, be convinced – that God hears your every prayer. Scripture tells you that he does! Psalm 34 says, “When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of their troubles.”
Oh, and friend, please don’t forget this – God is using this affliction that you are going through right now, to make you like Jesus. So flip open to Romans 8, and commit it to memory – verses 28-29, if you haven’t already, because God is working all this together for your good, to make you more like your Savior. Another encouragement is to know that this affliction is light, it’s momentary, and it's achieving for you an eternal glory that far outweighs the inconvenience and the heartbreak of the trial that you are going through right now. And the best thing to remember? Revelation 21 says that, “One day God is going to wipe away every tear.” Oh and one more thing, if you have a wheelchair that you’re no longer needing, please save it for Joni & Friends. Just go to joniradio.org to find a donation location near you. Again, that’s joniradio.org. That’s your good word today from joniradio.org.
© Joni and Friends