How God Will Give You What You Need When You are Suffering
It’s normal to complain when life doesn’t go the way we expect.
But what if it’s not supposed to…
In Henry Blackaby’s Bible Study, Experiencing God. He talks about the way we often make plans and then get upset when God doesn’t seem to cooperate and facilitate. He encourages readers to watch and learn what God is doing around them and to get involved in what He is doing rather than expecting Him to bring success to their goals and agenda.
I’ve been thinking about the difference it might make in my life if I spent more time asking God to reveal His plans and purposes rather than asking Him to help me accomplish mine.
What if you and I willingly surrendered everything to the Lord, offering Him the sacrifice of our desires, hopes, and dreams for the future . . . humbly following where He leads.
I’ll admit, that’s what my head and heart want to do but when it comes to my follow-through, I lean towards independence and selfishness. And I’m wondering if that’s because deep down I don’t trust Him enough.
I want my life to be easy and problem-free . . . but God’s plans and purposes for me don’t always work that way.
Do you remember what God told Ananias to say to Paul following the Damascus conversion?
The Lord told Ananias, “Go! I’ve chosen this man to bring my name to nations, to kings, and to the people of Israel. I’ll show him how much he has to suffer for the sake of my name.”
Acts 9:15–16 (GW)
Can you imagine what Paul must have thought when he heard those words?
Yet, look at what Paul wrote later in his life:
Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will reveal to us later.
Romans 8:18
And
For this reason I am happy when I have weaknesses, insults, hard times, sufferings, and all kinds of troubles for Christ. Because when I am weak, then I am truly strong.
2 Corinthians 12:10
It’s hard to imagine, isn’t it?
We cry out “why” when suffering happens. But God uses people who have suffered to help and encourage those who are suffering?
When people who have suffered share God’s love with strength, God is glorified, our faith is strengthened, and our hope restored.
When life isn’t going the way we planned—when we’re suffering . . . it’s time to run to Jesus. To prayerfully ask Him to give us strength and to help us use our stories for His glory.
A Prayer Asking God to Give What
is Needed When You are Suffering
Lord Jesus, Paul was transformed by Your presence and voice . . . so much so that even when he was told that serving You would result in his suffering, he was undeterred. He was beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, and more all because he boldly shared the truth of Your love.
I whine and worry when You say “no” or “not now” to my plans and desires. I want smooth paths and easy days. I tell you that I want to live completely surrendered to Your will but I don’t want that to include suffering. “Lord, I believe. Help me overcome my unbelief.” Remove my doubt and help me trust that You will give me everything I need even when suffering comes my way.
And Lord, please use my story for Your glory. May I tell the world about Your grace, mercy, and love and proclaim that You are able to give strength, courage, peace, hope, and whatever else is needed on days of comfort and on days of suffering. I love you! I thank and praise You. I give myself to You. Amen.
It’s easier to write about happy moments and joy-filled days but when we look around, it’s clear to see that suffering is part of life here on earth.
But we are not alone:
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
We have the blessing of God’s broader perspective:
In His kindness God called you to share in His eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, He will restore, support, and strengthen you, and He will place you on a firm foundation. All power to Him forever! Amen.
1 Peter 5:10–11
May God be with you, uphold you, restore, support, and strengthen you today and always.
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We can be so selfish and demanding with God, wanting smooth sailing, not stormy seas. Thank you for reminding us, Deb, that we are to embrace the times of suffering, knowing that in those times, God has a lesson and a purpose for us.
Blessings!
Amen, Martha! Even when I know that the Lord’s plans and purposes for me are good, I can still selfishly want things to go my way. Thanks as always for your kindness. Blessings and hugs!
You had me at “spending more time asking God to reveal his plans and purposes.” I’m not sure how often I actually to that. Thank you for this wonderful encouragement today.
Thanks for visiting, Patti. I am blessed by your encouragement. God bless you!
It may doesn’t sound good but I’m glad to see that I’m not the only one wrestling with Trust and unbelief. Just like you Deb, I believe, want to believe yet I catch myself over and over still holding the “door knob” while inviting Jesus into my life, and holding on to the “wheel” even though I supposedly handed it over to Jesus to Lead my life. And me too, can also explain all these actions that somewhere deep down in my heart – despite all His Love and Mercy, – I don’t fully Trust Jesus. All those what ifs….
Couple of years ago I found myself in a very bad situation at work and all indications were there that my job was on the line. So, with a natural reaction, I panicked and was under an unbearable stress. Despite that my first step was running to the Lord for help. Then I heard a sermon about Jesus’ questioning by Pilates when He told him that -“you wouldn’t have any power over Me, if it wasn’t from Above!” – and this sermon lit the light bulb in my heart. All fight went out of me by realizing that my enemies wouldn’t have any power over me if not for the Lord’s purposes. It was a huge test of my faith, which I miserably failed. But not all the pain was invain as I walked away with a life lesson – Look to Jesus in ALL circumstances, and seek His will even when I want to run the opposite direction. Immovable Faith and Trust is still one of my biggest struggle….
Hi, Gaby! It’s hard, isn’t it? I am reminded every day how very much I need the Lord’s forgiveness. My constant prayer is to run to Him quickly when life is uncertain and I don’t understand His plan or my circumstances. What a blessing to remember that it’s all about Jesus. God’s love is not based on our performance . . . it is simply the result of His amazing grace. Glory!! God be with you!
I went through that Bible Study several years ago. It is an excellent study. What stuck with me was when Mr. Blackenby said to look around you and see where God is moving. He encouraged us to go where God was moving just as you mentioned. As always you bring encouragement to me when I need it. Thank you for being obedient to the Lord in writing this blog. Your blog lifts me up every time.
Thanks so much, Carolyn. I’ve been blessed by Blackaby’s studies and books. It’s not always easy to go where God is leading but it is always a blessing in the long run. God bless you!
“I’ll admit, that’s what my head and heart want to do but when it comes to my follow-through, I lean towards independence and selfishness. And I’m wondering if that’s because deep down I don’t trust Him enough.”
I identify with this, Deb.
We have dreams, dreams that God puts on our hearts, and also dreams that we’ve created for ourselves. And sometimes the dreams God puts on our hearts were for a season and then he’s trying to give us a new dream, but we’re holding so tight to the old one that we buck and cry. (And when I say “we,” I mean ME. LOL.)
Your post today makes me question: What if this thing I’ve been dreading and fighting is actually the pathway to the next dream, and I just don’t like God’s method of getting me there? It’s something to think about.
Jesus, forgive my stubborn heart that wants the dream to be fulfilled MY way. Oh, grant me the ability to open my clenched fingers and let go. I can trust you. I know I can trust you. Help me to trust you. Amen.
What a wonderful thought, Sara! What if we got excited with anticipation rather getting upset when things don’t go as we wanted. Thanks for adding this to the conversation. Many blessings as you share God’s love.
Such an encouraging word. Our family has experienced many hard things this past year. God met me in my suffering and provided for my needs. It wasn’t fun, but I could see His hand at work.
Thanks so much, Ginger! I’m sorry to learn that this has been a difficult year. I am often amazed at how often I see God’s touch more clearly when on look back on difficult times. That’s often when I’ve realized that He was with me and helping me every step of the way and that gives me the strength and courage I need for whatever He allows in the future. Praying for you and your family.
I love this!! It’s 4am and I’m laying here in bed tossing and turning about life. My husband and I are newly empty-nesters and honestly I thought it would look different than it does. I’m 52, with a new grand baby and somehow not enjoying life like I think I should. Don’t get me wrong my heart burst for this new life and our very blessed family but somehow, I just thought life would look different. My husband suffers from meineres disease (a debilitating inner ear disease) which limits our life sometimes daily. I thought my ministry (speaking and writing) would be thriving but it’s going very slow and now I’m left wondering did I jump ahead of God.
I want to glorify Him and Him alone! But somehow I stand here wondering where did I go wrong on some many levels. I should be praising Him for all the beautiful blessings He has given me (us). I get to serve Him not Him serve me ????????♀️ Wow! Thank you for this eye opener and clarity it really spoke to my heart!! ❤️
Your words spoke to my heart as well, Mary Beth. It’s so easy for me to focus on my struggles, especially on sleepless nights. I typically write what I need and I’m blessed to know it has encouraged someone else. Thanks for your encouraging comment. I’m praying for you today and asking God to bless and encourage you.
A beautiful prayer. Thank you. I especially like what you said here “I’ve been thinking about the difference it might make in my life if I spent more time asking God to reveal His plans and purposes rather than asking Him to help me accomplish mine.”
Thank you, Maree! I think that’s true for most of us. We make plans and want God to get on board. What a blessing that He mercifully forgives us and graciously guides us. Prayig to do a better job of fully following every day. Blessings!