When your world is caving in…when you’re at the end of your rope…WHERE will you go to find relief from the pain?

That’s what I’m talking about today.

In my last post, I shared with you the first part of the second chapter for my book I’m currently writing, Light Arises in the Darkness: How to Go Through Suffering and Experience Incredible Joy.We discussed why it is so important to acknowledge your suffering, and how that can pave the way for you to “stop the bleeding” and experience a true sense of peace and joy.

Okay, so you’re feeling the pain, and you’re not hiding it anymore. Now what? Let’s talk about that.

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Light Arises in the Darkness

How to Go Through Suffering and Experience Incredible Joy

Copyright 2017 by Matt Philleo. All rights reserved.

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(To help you navigate through the book. I’ll be including links below to various posts…)

CONTENTS

Introduction

1. Why is there Suffering
   Part 1
   Part 2
2. Acknowledging Your Suffering
   Part 1
3. Suffering Caused by Financial Problems
4. Suffering Caused by Health Problems
5. Suffering Caused by Loss Problems
6. Suffering Caused by Relationship Problems
7. Suffering Caused by Internal Problems
8. Seeking the Lord in Your Suffering
9. Responding to His Presence and Encouragement
10. Becoming an Encourager

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“”Where do you run for help? When you are in trouble, what is your first instinct? Do you run to others or to God? Is it usually the counsel of another rather than the counsel found in waiting upon God in prayer? Why is this the way it is? Why do we run to man before we run to God?”- Kay Arthur

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Where will you go?

I don’t think there’s anything wrong in getting advice from trusted friends or counselors, because God can speak to us in various ways, but your first and primary source should be God, direct. Think for a moment, in your own life.

When things go south, where do you go first for help?

I’ll admit, when I have a deep question about something, I all too often visit Google first!

You may find some temporary relief in these other sources, but it will only be temporary. There is only one place to turn to for true, permanent relief, and that is in the pages of the Bible. There, you will discover the author of those pages longing to heal your hurts and fill you with a joy you never thought possible. But, before that can happen, you need to seek Him. Now that’s a prescription that cannot fail. It may take some time, though.

For sure, it’s much easier to read an article out of the O! magazine and glean some helpful tidbits on living a better life, than to turn to the God of the universe, sincerely seek Him, and wait for the reply.

The real cure is worth the wait, however.

Do you feel like a 3…or a 7?

Let’s use the doctor’s office metaphor again. You’re in mild to severe (but probably not excruciating) pain, and finally after the annoyingly long wait, you’re taken by the nurse into the doctor’s room. She asks you a few cursory questions, you answer her quickly, glancing at your cellphone, noticing the time and how much you have to get done yet today.

“Just give me the flipping prescription!” you think to yourself.

She finishes her questions and then…another wait.

Finally, the doctor bursts in, looking much more rushed for time than the nurse. He asks you some of the same exact questions the nurse just did. You’re thinking, “Don’t you people even communicate with each other?”

You’re tempted just to answer briefly so you can get out of there and still make it to the next meeting on time.

But hold on. Don’t do that.

What you tell the doctor is an integral part of getting the correct diagnosis–and treatment. If you tell the doctor your pain is a “three” when it’s actually a “seven”, and it hurts in your back, when actually your back and your abdomen is in pain, the doctor may not be able accurately locate your source of discomfort.

During your trial, it’s the same thing. Don’t rush this part. Take some time, and talk to God. I’m going to assume you have some sort of relationship with God. But if you don’t, you can, through Jesus Christ. (I’ll talk about that more in Chapter 7)

You may find some temporary relief in other sources, but it will only be temporary. There is only one place to turn to for true, permanent relief, and that is in the pages of the Bible.

Be real with God. Share your feelings–He can handle them. However there is a caveat: as you get to know God and His character through praying, reading the Bible, and living the life He wants you to, you would not be wise to accuse Him of wrongdoing as you vent your frustrations!

In other words, share your heart, but do it with an attitude of respect. With all that you say, keep in mind that God is good and perfect in everything He does. If He seems to be harsh, unloving, aloof, or mistaken in His dealings with you, He’s not.

That’s just the way you feel.

But our feelings often are not in sync with reality. The Bible says, “Let God be true and every man be a liar.” If we think God is wrong, we are the ones who are wrong. Getting this correct perspective about the infallibility of God will help you receive the encouragement He longs to give you.

“Why should I talk to God about my problems?” you ask. “Doesn’t he already know?”

Of course He does. But he longs for us to communicate to Him. You often know when your child wants something, but don’t you like to hear them ask for it? Also, as we pour our hearts out before the Lord, we can often recognize something about ourselves that we wouldn’t have otherwise. We can even speak things that are like a sermon to ourselves (especially if it’s based on scripture) and it will bring encouragement to us as if it were from the very mouth of God!

Have a blessed day,

 

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