Lenten Devotionals

From Suffering to Hope

Scripture: Romans 5:1-11
“... And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” – Romans 5:2-4 (NIV)

For many years, I have suffered from chronic health issues, increasing both in quantity and severity. So far, they do not threaten the length of my life but rather, the quality of it. Struggling to get through each day with symptoms such as widespread pain and unpredictable neurological impairment makes me vulnerable to self-pity and hopelessness. This scripture passage, written by the Apostle Paul to the Romans, helps me focus on a positive aspect of suffering: it leads to some virtuous qualities and eventually creates hope.

“In peace I will lie down and sleep. For thou alone, oh Lord makes me to dwell in safety.” – Psalm 4:8

Some years ago my daughter Katie and I went on a road trip to South Dakota. It had been a long time since I had last been out west, and I was excited about going back to the Badlands and the Black Hills.

September is a great time to vacation because the weather is good and the crowds are small, so in the middle of September we packed up our tent and sleeping bags and off we went. We camped in a variety of places, and when we got to the Badlands we found a beautiful place in a state park. Custer State Park, where we camped, has a herd of free-roaming buffalo, and while most of them are confined to a certain section of the park, there are some that graze quite close to the lodge and picnic area.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” – Matthew 5: 4

Several years ago as many FUMC friends recall, my happy, busy life hit several walls. In June, my father died. In February, my young daughter and I were in an accident in which the other driver was killed. In March, my husband died. And in July, my mother died. While wrestling with three estates and a lawsuit, I sleepwalked the path of my life, an only child essentially alone with an only child. Or was I?

My heart and mind stood still. In my high functioning stupor, I had little short-term memory. Decisions made at the morning meeting were a mystery to me by afternoon. The mind protects itself.

But, as I traversed this rocky road, the hand of God manifested itself. Music was never more beautiful, and its movement created freedom, as long as it lasted. Nature seemed more intense – colors brighter, tiny insects more amazing, sunsets more breathtaking, the dancing red fox an important sign – this hyper vigilance was probably a symptom of post traumatic stress disorder.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:2-7

“See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation! ³We are putting no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, ⁴but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, ⁵beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; ⁶by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of spirit, genuine love, ⁷truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left...”