The antidote for affliction, hurt and suffering

Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. James 5:13a(kjv). Are you hurting? Pray. (MSG). Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. (NKJv)

We don’t like it but suffering is part of our journey. In fact we are admonished by Jesus to daily pick up our cross and follow Him if we are to come after Him^;

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life^[a] will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul- Matthew 16:24-26

Sometimes we bring it on ourselves as a result of disobedience, sometimes it is part of what was written for us before we arrived here. Sometimes it is the enemy just attacking us but regardless of which one it is, know that Your walk with God will not always be palatable. Sometimes you will cry because you want to talk when the Holy Spirit commands you to be quiet. You will cry sometimes because walking in love may require denying yourself a certain type of pleasure. Obeying God will hurt your flesh.

But amid our suffering, we are required to lean on our beloved. He says we should pray. Your moment of suffering is not one to announce to the world. Sure you can share with a couple of trusted people in your community. But don’t try to gain the strength of people alone. Instead, pour your weight on the Lord. He alone can save you completely and bring you the encouragement you need.

Are you suffering today be encouraged in knowing that God is with you and talk to Him. In other words, Pray!

Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour but resist him, be firm in your faith [against his attack—rooted, established, immovable], knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being experienced by your brothers and sisters throughout the world. [You do not suffer alone.] 1 Peter 5:8-9

You are loved and have been bought with a price.

Your sister,

Favour