Encouragement in the midst of Suffering

I’ve recently been studying the book of 1 Peter. The purpose of the book is to offer encouragement to suffering Christians.

While it was written in A.D. 62-64 it still speaks to us today in 2017. Suffering comes in many forms and it’s easy to want to give up or to lose faith.

Encouragement in the midst of SufferingI was reading in one of my Mom’s Bibles and she had this quote written in the margin, “Suffering is the medium in which we’re most rapidly formed into the image of Jesus.” 

That’s a hard quote because none of us want to suffer but trials and suffering will come to refine our faith.

1 Peter 1:7-8 says, These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. 

This song by Ellie Holcomb is about finding Jesus in the midst of struggles.

It’s not the news that any of us hoped that we would hear
It’s not the road we would have chosen, no
The only thing that we can see is darkness up ahead
But You’re asking us to lay our worry down and sing a song instead

[Chorus]
And I didn’t know I’d find You here
In the middle of my deepest fear, but
You are drawing near
You are overwhelming me, with peace

So I’ll lift my voice and sing
You’re gonna carry us through everything
You are drawing near
You’re overwhelming all my fears, with peace

[Verse 2]
You say that I should come to You with everything I need
You’re asking me to thank you even when the pain is deep
You promise that You’ll come and meet us on the road ahead
And no matter what the fear says, You give me a reason to be glad

[Chorus]
And I didn’t know I’d find You here
In the middle of my deepest fear, but
You are drawing near
You are overwhelming me, with peace

So I’ll lift my voice and sing
You’re gonna carry me through everything
You are drawing near
You’re overwhelming all my fear

[Bridge]
Here in the middle of the lonely night
Here in the middle of the losing fight, You’re
Here in the middle of the deep regret
Here when the healing hasn’t happened yet

Here in the middle of the desert place
Here in the middle when I cannot see Your face
Here in the middle with Your outstretched arms
You can see my pain and it breaks Your heart

[Chorus]
And I didn’t know I’d find You here
In the middle of my deepest fear, but
You are drawing near
You are overwhelming me with, peace

So I’ll lift my voice and sing
You’re gonna carry me through everything
You are drawing near
You’re overwhelming all my fear with peace

[Outro]
Rejoice, rejoice
Don’t have to worry ’bout a single thing, ’cause
You are overwhelming me with, peace!

Don’t have to worry ’bout a single thing
You’re gonna carry us through everything
Overwhelming peace…

For More Beauty For the Heart posts go here.

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Have a blessed Sunday!

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  1. Thank you Cyndi for sharing this devotional and song. Such a beautiful reminder for me as I struggled this morning with yet another migraine of many, many years of them. Snowing VERY hard here in Northwest Oregon. We are suppose to get up to 12 inches. What a crazy Winter. Our TV cable signal just went out and the Superbowl game on. 🙁 I guess my husband will have to get on the roof and dust off the snow from the satellite. 🙂

  2. We sang Presious Memories at church today. Thank you for sharing your Mother’s quote … I love the song I have her CD … Thankful for you

  3. Thank you Cyndi for sharing your mother’s quote. I enjoyed the song as well. You always pick great music to go with your Sunday post. ~Lisa~

  4. Cyndi ,
    Thank you for the post you shared today. The Lord does wonderful things thru you !!!!
    Prayers and Blessings for you and your family
    Thank you again !!!!
    Diana

  5. Interestingly enough, our pastor has been teaching in Peter for many weeks. He goes verse by verse and it has and is quite interesting.
    Your mother’s quote fits in beautifully. Having found similar things with my mother’s handwriting I can totally empathize with the emotions these bring. Like another reader mentioned it opens up a lot of questions about what was going on with them at the time.
    God Bless you and your family and enjoy being with each other today and beyond.

  6. I love that you found that quote that your mom wrote. I’m sure it made you wonder what she was thinking about when she wrote it? I too have uncovered notes that my mother wrote before she passed and sometimes they bring joy and other times sadness. Have a wonderful Sunday with your family.

  7. I pray that whatever it is you are going through that the Lord gives you his grace to deal with it. Hugs and prayers.