My Forsyth_March 2021

By Maria I. Morgan
What do we do when suffering tries to swallow us whole? From
Adam, who lived through the death of his son, Abel, murdered by
his firstborn, Cain, to believers in the New Testament persecuted
for their faith, God’s Word is full of examples that give us insight
and direction. Even Jesus Christ experienced the same trials and
hardships we do:
Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be
touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted
like as we are, yet without sin.
Think about it. Jesus experienced grief and was tempted to despair,
just like us. Remember Lazarus? He was Jesus’ close friend. The day
came when Jesus got the news that Lazarus was extremely sick. By
the time Jesus and his disciples got to Bethany, Lazarus was already
dead. We see the shortest verse in the Bible that speaks volumes about
Jesus’s love for his friend:
John 11:35 Jesus wept.
Jesus’s grief was real. He was devastated by the loss of his friend. You
probably know the end of the story – because Jesus was also God,
he raised Lazarus to life. Since we are not God, we cannot perform
miracles that erase our suffering. But we can take note of what else
Jesus did:
He prayed to his Father:
HELP
When You Are Hurting
By Maria I. Morgan
If there was a sign-up sheet for suffering, I am
sure no one would rush to add his/her signature.
Difficulties that bring hurt and heartache are not
what we are after. But the last year has brought
both – whether it is the loss of a job, health, or
a loved one; it seems pain and heartache have
been close companions.
John 11:41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the
dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank
thee that thou hast heard me.
Prayer gives us access to the Father, too. We are invited to come
“boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find
grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16) His grace gives us the
strength we need moment by moment to navigate our trials. And he
can use every hard thing in our lives to make us more like Him:
Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to
be conformed to the image of his Son…
In our world, suffering is inevitable. Instead of grieving to the point
of despair, cry out to your Heavenly Father in prayer. He will give you
hope and will not allow even one trial to be wasted.
Can I pray for you?
Heavenly Father, the past several months have been hard. You know
every heartache and loss we have experienced. We are coming boldly
to ask you for mercy and grace for this day. Carry our burdens for
us. And help us move from despair to hope. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
58 MYFORSYTHMAG.COM VOLUME XI | ISSUE 1