Foolish Things Christians Believe: My Suffering Is Not Fruitless Day 4

The Trail of Pain


Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:1–5 ESV

Facing change of any kind can feel like a small death. When someone is confronted with a change in health or a change in ability, or a change in relationship, the changes pile up. It is death by a thousand cuts.

You may see someone loaded with pain, yet afraid to die because they don’t know what pain death may hold for them.

You may see someone afraid of the changes in life demanded by the reality of the pain they are experiencing.

Job suffered both emotional and physical loss and pain. Read his story and you’ll find him alone on an ash heap scratching scabs open. He needs someone to call him brother. Someone to sit and share the pain. Someone to offer an extra share of trust in the God who redeems suffering.

Name your own Job, pray for them and commit your presence to them.