A few years back, when I was at a deliverance ministry session with my Christian counselors, my mentor responded to my uncertainty (about how to handle the amount of physical and emotional pain I was in at the time) with, “Give thanks for it, Tara.”
Say what?
Say, “Thank you, God, for all this pain and suffering, some of which makes so little sense? Thank you for all this physical and emotional anguish that I really don’t think I deserve? Thanks for my crashing adrenal glands? Thanks for all the depression?”
First fallacy at the time was thinking that pain and suffering only happen to those who deserve it. Wrong. The scriptures tell us in several places that we’ll come to know pain in our lives, with or without Christ. Following Christ just makes navigating those hardships easier.
The second fallacy was trying to make sense of it all. Folks, sometimes bad stuff just happens to good people. It has nothing to do with how much you love God, all the good “works” you do for Him, and how much you bless others. It’s simply the burden we bear when we decide to take up our cross to follow Him. Some of it is also spiritual attack from the enemy who really dislikes it when we follow Christ. Some of it is consequence for wrong sin, yes, but oftentimes, trials are necessary in order to develop Christ-like character. The Lord walks us through them so that we become more like His son. We don’t grow “fruit” of the Spirit overnight. Most good things in life are learned through adversity.
What I took out of that healing session was invaluable. That there is blessing in suffering. That I don’t need to have all the answers. That God had a purpose for what I was experiencing—and He was delivering me (even if slowly, like an onion) and would use it to bless His kingdom in some way. I sit here sharing much of what I have learned in my spiritual journey with others, so I feel grateful that there is purpose in my suffering.
But let’s revisit the “giving thanks” part. How might that look for those of you in the midst of wilderness?
First, let go of the fear you’ve attached to your predicament. Anytime we struggle for too long, we can grow fearful and discouraged. Repent, release it to the Lord, and ask Him to fill your heart with renewal and hope. “Lord, please forgive me for being fearful and discouraged. Please fill me with peace and renewed hope.” Hint: If you’re angry at God for your suffering (we’ve all been there), better repent of that ASAP. He’s quick to forgive.
Second, ask Him if there’s anything He wants to show you about your problem. Maybe there’s hidden sin from long ago that He wants to bring to your attention so you can repent for it. Maybe there’s sinful activity you’re engaged in that He wants you to stop. Maybe there’s someone you need to seek forgiveness from. Could be anything. The important thing is that we seek Him for guidance.
Third, find a few things to be grateful for in the midst of your dilemma and give thanks for them. They are there if you’ll stop to acknowledge them. This exercise benefits us more than it does Him.
Fourth, tell Him that you’re thankful for your situation (whatever it looks like, however it feels). This was hard for me to do, but one winter morning, as I was sipping my hot cocoa outside after feeding the hawk (don’t ask), I started crying in frustration. It had been about four months of chronic sickness, with very few lifts or breaks in between. I was growing weary. Annoyed, I shouted, “Alright, God. Thank you for this sickness. I don’t know why I’m thanking you, and I don’t really feel gratitude for it, but I’m trying here.”
Truth is, I didn’t feel gratitude for it at the time. Sometimes, gratitude is in hindsight. I chose to fake it until I made it, though. And, eventually I did. My adrenals and thyroid evened out by late spring, my mental health benefited, and I felt more like myself.
Fifth, trust in His ways and timing. They don’t usually make sense. You’ll waste a whole lot of your time trying to figure something out that’s not possible. He is that mysterious. Sometimes, when we think we know what He’s up to, he’ll change things up…just to remind us that He’s in control. He’s omniscient, not us. If you haven’t been trusting Him, just say a repentant prayer. “Father, please forgive me for not placing complete trust in your timing and ways. I choose to trust you.”
Truth is, He has a plan for your life and there is purpose in your suffering. It may not be meant for you to know or understand. Start by thanking Him today for whatever hardship you’re facing. Thank Him for the Christ-like character that is growing in you—patience, if nothing else. Thank Him for the good that your suffering is doing in His Kingdom.
And remember, “all things work together for good to them who love God, to them who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28 KJV).
