Suffering

"Suffering is like a pile of rocks.  You can choose to carry the load, throw them at someone, just let it lay there, or you can build an altar."
~Chad Arnold.

For an amazing story of about what it means to suffer well, read this incredible story.

Peace

We've all been there. Those times in life filled with trouble/sadness/loneliness/hardship/whatever else you might be going through. Those times when Satan seems so close and God seems so far. Those times when friends seem hard to find and enemies seem abundant. The times when you feel like your prayers only reach the ceiling and then bounce back. Maybe it's true. Maybe our prayers do only hit the ceiling. But you know what the good news is? God is near so He knows our prayers before we even utter the words. And he not only hears our prayers, but He listens to our prayers. God is all-encompassing, ever present. Our prayers do not need to travel vast distances before God knows them. We serve a good, good God. Amen?

How sweet the words of Scripture are in times of _______ (you fill in the blank).

"I have been deprived of peace;
I have forgotten what prosperity is.
So I say, "My splendor is gone
and all that I had hoped from the LORD."
I remember my affliction and my wandering,
the bitterness and the gall.
I well remember them,
and my soul is downcast within me.
Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:

Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him."

The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;
it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.
It is good for a man to bear the yoke while his is young."

Lamentations 3:17-27

May the peace of the LORD be with you today and always. Praise be to the God of comfort and peace!

Blessings,