Suffering with hope

When God Doesn’t Seem Good

The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him. (Nahum 1:7) Last spring, we were anxiously awaiting our upcoming vacation to Florida. Even more than in years past, I was desperate to get away and catch my breath from all the hardships and stresses that were pounding… Continue reading When God Doesn’t Seem Good

Suffering with hope

Where to Turn When the Fears are Real

This past year, my family went through a season of being uncomfortably uprooted and led in a direction of several unknowns. Through a series of events, it became clear that the Lord was asking us to make some major life changes, drastically affecting our comfort level, lifestyle, and future plans. And so, in his strength,… Continue reading Where to Turn When the Fears are Real

Fighting the Good Fight, Gospel living, Suffering with hope, Treasures Found in the Trials of Life

Suffering is a Gift of God’s Grace – Part 2

  Because we live in a world that has promised us instant everything, we struggle when we feel powerless to change or remove unwanted things from our lives. Paul gives us insight into God’s purposes for allowing trials and suffering to continue in our lives, that we might reap the fruit of endurance.     Endurance… Continue reading Suffering is a Gift of God’s Grace – Part 2

Suffering with hope

Suffering is a Gift of God’s Grace – Part 1

Do you feel fear or anxiety rise up when you think of suffering? Does a large part of your thought life consist of worrying about what might happen to you or someone you love, or losing some form of comfort in your life? Do you fret over the lives of your children, doing everything you… Continue reading Suffering is a Gift of God’s Grace – Part 1

Suffering with hope, Treasures Found in the Trials of Life

In a dry and weary land

I was 17. I had my whole life ahead of me and yet, there I found myself, wanting it all to end. I sat silently in a stark white hospital room, broken, hurting, and alone. How did I end up here? Not more than a year earlier, I had been basking in the attention and… Continue reading In a dry and weary land

Suffering with hope, Treasures Found in the Trials of Life

Restore to Me The Joy of My Salvation

Several years ago, my husband and I sat in on a meeting to discuss the options, challenges, and hurdles of our child’s special needs. As we sat surrounded by several specialists, listening to them list the problems at hand, a lump began to grow in the back of my throat in an attempt to fight back… Continue reading Restore to Me The Joy of My Salvation

Fighting the Good Fight, Suffering with hope

Through the Lens of God’s Character

Have you ever struggled with the question, “Why is God allowing this”? I imagine that every believer is faced with this question at some point in their life. I clearly remember asking this question as I was painfully dealing with my son, who was struggling with a neurological disorder that we had yet to find answers to. Throughout the hour or more of a heart-wrenching… Continue reading Through the Lens of God’s Character

Fighting the Good Fight, Suffering with hope, Treasures Found in the Trials of Life

Four Lies We Believe When We Are Feeling Lonely

There is no denying that many roads of suffering are incredibly lonely ones. Yes, it is true that there is nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9), and often there are more people who can relate to our suffering than we realize. Nevertheless, these roads are often still lonely. I remember when one of my… Continue reading Four Lies We Believe When We Are Feeling Lonely

Suffering with hope

Suffering Is a Vessel of God’s Grace to All

No one likes to suffer. When an illness or trial arises, we naturally seek answers and, if at all possible, a quick resolution. At times, we are so desperate for an escape that we willingly accept a "quick-fix" in order to relieve the pain, despite the fact that we may be ignoring underlying issues and… Continue reading Suffering Is a Vessel of God’s Grace to All

Suffering with hope

Though He Delay, He Will Be Faithful

My heart is hurting today. Contentment, peace, and joy seem nowhere to be found as I have felt a fresh blow of the devastating challenges that come with my child’s special needs. Once again, I am reminded that life is not at all as I expected it would be. Pain, fear, exhaustion, and confusion have… Continue reading Though He Delay, He Will Be Faithful