Help for Hard Times/Suffering

by heather reynolds⁽¹¹⁾

Last November I awoke from a dream refreshed with renewed energy and excitement. God revealed a truth to me. It was a Biblical scripture I had read numerous times; a familiar command. God wanted me to understand that if I lived obediently by it I would experience peace and joy. Who doesn’t want a life of peace and joy?

In my dream I was enveloped by the warm sunshine of God’s love when He gave me a gift. A shiny golden nugget of truth came rolling towards me from a mountain. I realized how big it was the closer it got. It wasn’t a nugget, but a boulder! When it stopped before me I realized it was a piece of a golden mountain!

Here it is: 1Thessalonians 5:18 “…give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

“I got it!” I exclaimed. I was praising God for this valuable gift of wisdom. I felt so blessed that Almighty God desired to give me clear understanding. I wondered if this was His perspective. He answered me, “This gift of wisdom is a crumb of a crumb”

Humbly I bowed my head, “Thank -you, I realize I am dumb.”

He lifted my chin and replied, “My precious, precious child, I love you! For you, it is a piece of a mountain. You wanted to see my perspective. Now go and live it.”

It is exciting to know that this command is just a crumb of a crumb compared to all that the Lord has for us. When we obey Him, He will bless us.

This scripture reminded me of some of the most unbearable circumstances in a holocaust survivor’s life - Corrie Ten Boom (1892-1983). She is the author of the 70's best seller, “The Hiding Place”, which was made into a movie, as well as many other books and devotionals.

She was raised in a Christian family who helped save over 800 lives by providing a hiding place in theirs and many others' homes in Holland. Having Jesus as her Savior, and putting her trust in Him made her life a blessed ministry to this day. At age 53, after surviving Ravensbruck, a concentration camp, she selflessly began her world wide traveling ministry. She shared God’s love for over 33 years, and in 60 countries.

In her book “Tramp for the Lord” she says, “God will give us the love to be able to forgive our enemies.” She was able to forgive a brutal, hateful man face to face.

Corrie's sister Betsie, was in the same flea infested barracks as her. Betsie reminded Corrie of 1 Thess.5:18…” give thanks in all circumstances….” suggesting they thank God for the fleas. Corrie declined. “I will thank God for a lot of things, but I am not going to thank Him for the fleas.”

Betsie knew God and trusted Him for everything, even the terrible fleas. She knew that He is able to turn a bad situation into a good one. Romans 8:28 says “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.”

The only bit of relief or comfort they received was from their nightly Bible readings. Smuggling in Corrie’s Bible was one of the miracles that happened there. They knew they would be beaten, tortured, or killed if caught with the Bible. Eventually they realized why they were able to have Bible readings with the ladies in their barracks, without being caught.

One of the ladies overheard a guard refusing to go to their barracks because of the flea infestation.

Psalm 37:4-9 “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret-it leads only to evil. For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.”

The verse doesn’t say for all , but in; in all circumstances. In suffering? Is it possible to give thanks in suffering? It depends on your knowledge of, and trust in Jesus. It helps to believe that “this too shall pass”. Believers aren’t going to live here on earth forever. Heaven will be paradise. No more suffering, tears, or pain.

I haven’t heard of a man who has suffered more than Job.

He was a man of Godly character, who lost his children, property, possessions, and health because God gave Satan permission to test him. When his suffering was the greatest, he accepted his problems as part of God’s plan for him (Job 2:10, 23:13-14).

After his friends turned against him, he began to believed that God had as well. Job cried out to God. In his darkest hour of suffering Job turned to God, affirming his faith and trust in God as his redeemer. Even while he was suffering, Job found comfort in God’s promises.

After Job cried out, God answered him with asking questions. This showed God’s power as creator of all things, and his almighty control over the universe and all of life. Job saw God’s purity and power, and he confessed his own sinfulness.

Then he humbly asked for forgiveness for his sins and wrong attitudes and submitted himself to God’s will.

We need to be patient in suffering, trusting God to reward us in His time. God poured out His blessing, rewarding Job for his patience in suffering.

Job acknowledged that God is sovereign, and he is unworthy to question Him (Job 40:3-5). Also Job rested in the fact that God was with him, and in control.

I will end with the greatest example of all. Matthew 26:26-31, at Jesus’ last supper on earth, knowing what was ahead for him; intolerable suffering, then death on a cross; Jesus……gave…..thanks.

Why? Because He loves you! He gave thanks for His suffering!

It was the only way your sins could be forgiven.

If you have not thanked Him for this I pray you will today. If you haven’t received Jesus as your Savior I pray you do this today. It will be the most important decision you will ever make.

Where you spend eternity depends on it.

You need to admit you are a sinner, and believe He is the only way to be reconciled to Holy God. Call on Him, asking Jesus to be your Savior, and Lord of your life. John 3:16, Romans3:23, Hebrews 9:22, John 1:12, 1John1:9.

“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. 1 Peter 4:12-13,16.

Article submitted Friday, March 19, 2010 & read 494 times.

Leave your comments through World Wide Bible Studies:

» left by Karen Reynolds from Veneta, Or (1 year 321 days ago.)

ahhhh thank tou Heather! when we get in the midst of our own personal storms we get lost and overwhelmed. I appreciate this visual to point us to the blessings of God. You are gifted in writing.

love, Karen
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» left by Anonymous (1 year 321 days ago.)

Thank-you Karen! Encouragement from believers is healing; but especially from family! As family seems to affirm our feelings of adequacy ; ) I just love to share what I learn, and esp. whenever the Lord speaks to me. I wanted to title this "A crumb of a crumb" you know my odd sense of humor, but more than that I want anyone searching for help from God's Word to be able to find this tid bit. Hence the name. Of course this isn't an exhausted study on help in hard times. I hope you find lots of interesting and helpful articles on here! I sure have! Love Ya! Heather

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» left by heather reynolds⁽¹¹⁾ (1 year 321 days ago.)

* opps, that was supposed to be "exhaustive" study
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» left by Teresa^(1,654) (1 year 321 days ago.)

Hi Heather! So glad you decided to share here, I knew you had it in you - I am sorry I haven't been able to get back to you - I have been so busy. I did get the long email :-), just couldn't respond. Thank you for this encouraging word. It's about time I read Cory Ten Boom's story, can you believe I haven't yet? Please keep sharing! I will write you soon. Big hugs miss having class and miss having you in it!

I love that you close with an invitation to surrender to Jesus! May the Lord draw many through this word!
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» left by Heather Reynolds (1 year 321 days ago.)

Teresa, Once again thank-you so much! I understand the business: ) Yes, you must read Corrie Ten Boom's stories- Amazing! I love to read stories that include God's miracles as believers trust in Him! Actually I have just gotten back to reading during the last couple years. For just about 20 years I thought I was too busy to read. I am less busy now, and make it a habit. I will keep sharing! I have a half page of stories and ideas already. I have such a passion and sense of freedom now that I have started. Next is getting the ol' acrylic paints out, and starting up that passion ; ) Thank-you again for making this possible! Love Ya! Heather

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