You Don't Have to Walk Alone
Suffering.
I am not excited about this month's theme. Who would be?
No matter how much we anticipate Resurrection, we cannot ignore the suffering before it if we claim to be a follower of Christ.
It comes with the territory.
As long as our bodies have breath we have the capacity to suffer.
While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life. ~2 Corinthians 5:4, New Living Translation
Suffer. Sorrow. Seeking. Salvation.
This is the path of a disciple.
The Path of a Disciple
Suffering in our flesh.
Sorrow in our minds.
Seeking the Father in our hearts.
Salvation for our souls, yes, but day in and day out we also need salvation for our sanity.
We need new mercies.
We need that perfect peace that only comes when our mind is stayed on Jesus.
In this season where suffering is all around me, I do not want to be alone. I need Jesus. He is my peace.
I need him to
hold my hand,
count my tears,
ease my mind.
Walk with me.
But it only comes through my faith.
For we walk by faith, not by sight. ~2 Corinthians 5:7, New King James Version
Like a moth to a flame, faith captivates the heart of the Father, so I have to keep faith close if I expect Jesus to
hold my hand,
count my tears,
ease my mind.
Walk with me.
Even Jesus knew he needed the Father:
He [Jesus] pulled away from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, “Father, remove this cup from me. But please, not what I want. What do you want?” At once an angel from heaven was at his side, strengthening him. He prayed on all the harder. Sweat, wrung from him like drops of blood, poured off his face. ~Luke 22:41-44, The Message Translation
Where are You Walking?
As time goes on, it will become more and more necessary to upgrade our faith.
We have to believe God if our sanity is going to survive this life.
Even then, faith tells us we do not just have to survive, but we can also thrive.
We can be stronger.
Be better.
Be more courageous.
Be resurrected.
Be with Jesus.
Yes, we can.
For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead! ~Philippians 3:9b-11, New Living Translation
I may not be excited about suffering, but I can get excited about how it unites me with my Savior when I believe.
I pray that you see faith in God as an answer to your emptiness.
You never have to walk alone.
PHILLIPA WILLIAMS
AUTHOR | BLOGGER | MINISTRY COACH
