When Your Suffering Feels Overwhelming
Hebrews 5:8
Although he was the Son, he learned obedience from what he suffered.
Some days, I feel overwhelmed by grief, fear & uncertainty. I’ve never been great at “hiding” it. I look back on my life so far and think, “You will never be able to seek joy the way the Lord calls us to do, will you? You’ll be stuck in debilitating fear the rest of your life.”
I know it sounds dramatic but some days really do feel like an endless pit of worries. Sometimes, I believe I may know why my brain jumps to conclusions about why it is the way it is, (father’s death, traumatic hospital experiences, unstable family relationships, etc.) but I also know that I am not the only one seated on the bus of hard experiences. Everyone on this Earth will have something happen in their life that feels like it will break them.
A few weeks ago, I felt the pull to read Hebrews. I couldn’t tell you why. All I knew was that it was popping into my head every time I thought about reading my bible, so, I followed that “instinct.” Now I can clearly see that that wasn’t an instinct; it was the Holy Spirit guiding me to where I needed to be in God’s word. I picked up my bible and started to read a chapter a day. Yesterday, as I was reading in chapter 5, verse 8 stopped me in my tracks.
Although he was the Son, he learned obedience from what he suffered.
Jesus was put on Earth to live out the human experience. He smiled, mourned, and struggled just like we do. Jesus went through the ULTIMATE suffering, but even through his trials and fears, he trusted God. When I read this verse, it gave me instant peace and sparked my curiosity about the obedience that Jesus gained from his suffering. To me, it makes suffering worth it if I can gain a deeper understanding and relationship with the Lord. Through the suffering that Jesus endured, transformation happened.
Why is this important?
Because it is possible to find blessings in hardships. In each trial we face, we know that God is transforming us. Our job is to follow His lead and invite Jesus to be with us in the challenge. As believers, we have received the gift of always having God near us. We were never promised an “easy” life when we accepted Christ, but we were promised guidance, protection and love.
Cling to this when you’re feeling overwhelmed & defeated:
God is near in our suffering
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." – Psalm 34:18
God will give you strength
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." – Matthew 11:28-29God will redeem our suffering
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." – Romans 8:28
