Last Saturday, I picked Leanna up from the airport after dancing in Augusta, Georgia. That same morning, my niece and my father took my mother to the emergency room because she could not stand. She was stable when I left home. However, on the way home, I received an urgent message from my brother that she was being ventilated and put on a life flight to the nearest large hospital. After a few nights in the hospital, I get another phone call that I have to make a trip to the nearest cancer center for a biopsy of a spot in my breast. Right now, a week later, I am sitting here with a very nasty virus not able to be with my mother in the hospital because I am suffering. So, let’s look at how to trust God in suffering because my mother is still in the hospital. I still have to go to the cancer center for a biopsy, and I am really sick.
Christians Are Not Promised Comfort, because We Will Have Suffering
As Christians, we often face the misconception that following Christ will lead to a life free of hardship and pain. However, Jesus Himself warned us about the inevitability of suffering in this world. In John 16:33 (NIV), He says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
The Bible is filled with examples of faithful servants of God who endured immense suffering. Job lost everything he had, yet he remained faithful. The Apostle Paul faced numerous trials, including imprisonment and physical torment, yet he continued to spread the Gospel with unwavering faith. These stories remind us that suffering is a part of the Christian journey and that our faith is not measured by the absence of suffering but by our trust in God through it. That is why we must learn how to trust God in suffering.
How to Trust God in Suffering: Go to God
1. Pray Honestly and Openly
When we are suffering, the first step is to bring our pain and struggles to God in prayer. We don’t need to hide our emotions or pretend that everything is fine. The Psalms are filled with raw, honest prayers from people who were hurting and seeking God’s help. Psalm 34:17 (NIV) assures us, “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.”
I have a friend who likes to remind me that God has big shoulders, and He can handle anything. She is definitely right with that statement! Anyway, God already knows our hearts. He knows our fears, our anxieties, our worries, so it is okay for us to openly share those with him.
2. Lean on Scripture
God’s Word provides comfort and guidance during times of suffering. Verses like Romans 8:18 (NIV) remind us of the eternal glory that awaits us: “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Meditating on such promises helps us keep our eyes on God rather than our circumstances.
This morning, the Holy Spirit comforted me with Isiah 40:31 NIV. It reads, “But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Such a beautiful Bible verse for a day in the face of suffering!
3. Seek Support from Fellow Believers
The Christian community is meant to be a source of support and encouragement. Galatians 6:2 (NIV) instructs us to “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Sharing our struggles with trusted friends, family, or church members allows others to pray for us and offer practical help.
Also remember that Jesus tells us in John 13:35 that others will know us by how we love each other. Suffering is your opportunity to allow others in your church family to love you. This is not only the way to trust God in suffering but to also become a testimony to nonbelievers about the true love of Christ.
4. Remember God’s Faithfulness
Focusing on God’s goodness and faithfulness is an important key in how to trust God in suffering. Reflecting on past experiences where God has been faithful can strengthen our trust in Him. Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV) promises, “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Reminding ourselves of God’s unchanging nature helps us trust Him with our current and future struggles.
5. Focus on God’s Sovereignty and Love
Even when we don’t understand why we are suffering, we can trust that God is sovereign and that He loves us deeply. Romans 8:28 (NIV) encourages us with this truth: “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.” Believing that God can bring good out of our pain helps us to trust Him more fully.
Some of you may ask how to trust God in suffering when I do not even feel His presence or His love. Even when you do not feel His presence or His love, He is most definitely still with you. Isaiah 41:10 (NIV) reassures us, “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.” God’s promises are not dependent on our feelings; they are based on His unchanging nature. In moments of doubt, we can hold onto the truth found in Romans 8:38-39 (NIV): “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Trusting God means believing in His constant presence and love, even when our emotions tell us otherwise.
6. Enter into God’s Presence with Thanksgiving
The final key on how to trust God in suffering is to enter into God’s presence with thanksgiving, and trust me, this can be the most difficult part of suffering. Psalm 100:4 (NIV) instructs us to “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” Even in the midst of our trials, we can find reasons to be grateful, reminding ourselves of God’s past faithfulness and the blessings He continues to provide. Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) encourages us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” By focusing on gratitude, we shift our perspective from our suffering to the goodness and sovereignty of God, allowing His peace to fill our hearts and minds.
How to Trust God in Suffering: Identify with Christ as the Suffering King
To trust God in suffering, one powerful way is to identify with Christ as the Suffering King. Jesus, the Suffering Servant, endured unimaginable pain and anguish for our sake, as depicted in Isaiah 53:3 (NIV): “He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.” By reflecting on Christ’s suffering, we can find solace in knowing that our struggles are shared by our Savior. Hebrews 4:15 (NIV) reminds us, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.” Identifying with Christ’s suffering helps us understand that He is not distant from our pain but fully understands and walks with us through our trials. This connection can deepen our trust, knowing that our suffering has purpose and that we are never alone in our journey.
How to Trust God in Suffering
Suffering is an inevitable part of life, but as Christians, we have the assurance that we are not alone in our pain. By turning to God in prayer, leaning on Scripture, seeking support from our community, remembering God’s faithfulness, focusing on His sovereignty and love, and entering into His Presence with Thanksgiving, we can trust Him even in the midst of our suffering. My mother is still in the hospital, I still have to face my biopsy, and I am really sick, but I know that God is with me through it all.
Join us on a 30-Day Faith Journey
Follow us on Pinterest for more Bible Study topics