Honest to God in Our Suffering

“You did well in the beginning, who is hindering you now that you are going to not obey the truth?” ~Galatians 5:7.

I suffered for a long time feeling lost and estranged from God. The path of my life was entirely off. Galatians 5:7 shows how bad company led me astray. I compromised my values by acting selfishly and short-sightedly without God's direction.

Being around people who didn't value God made it hard to stick to my beliefs. This period awakened me to the necessity of choosing friends who support my faith.

Be true, not follow others, says Galatians 5:7. Prayer, thought, and like-minded people, especially my sisters, have helped me follow God's plan and make wise, loving decisions.

Faith Through Life’s Challenges

From Psalm 44 my sister, Ruth, highlights the necessity of believing in God in difficult times. Our faith is tested and strengthened in difficult circumstances. Only in this life can we actively exercise faith and hope. Hope will become true when we see Jesus in paradise.

We are called to walk and entrust our lives to God, even when we don’t feel like it or can’t see the path clearly. As verse 21 reminds us, “For he knows the secrets of our hearts.” God doesn’t require us to put on a façade; He welcomes our doubts and our wholehearted commitment. By being honest with Him, we allow our faith to grow and our hope to flourish, knowing that God understands and supports us fully.

Let us continue to believe and walk with God, developing our faith and hope exclusively there. With God's help, we can overcome obstacles and grow in faith.

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My Sister, Suzanne, shared a profound insight regarding Psalm 44, highlighting the verse, "Our feet had not strayed from your path… You covered us with deep darkness, yet we did not forget our God." This powerful declaration reminds us of steadfast faith even in the most challenging circumstances. I particularly resonate with David’s heartfelt question, “Where are you, God?” It encapsulates the struggle many of us face when our faith is tested.

Reflecting on the Book of Job, I find a strong correlation with Psalm 44. When someone asked C.S. Lewis, “Why do the righteous suffer? Why not?” his response was simple yet profound: “They are the only ones who can take it.” Amen to that. Faith doesn’t always come with a clear reason, and in Psalm 44, we see a poignant plea: “For your sake, God, we face death all day long.” This verse highlights the unwavering challenges that believers face, not for their own benefit, but for the greater good of God's intentions.

**James Hudson Taylor once said, “It does not matter how great the pressure is; what really matters is where the pressure lies. Whether it comes between you and God or whether it presses you nearer His heart.” This wisdom beautifully complements the message of Psalm 44. When pressures mount, our response determines whether we drift away or draw closer to God.

Another inspiring truth is found in the Bible’s recurring theme that “God chooses the weak things to confound the strong” and that “God is strong in our weakness.” Spiritually speaking, we need our moments of weakness. It is through these times that we truly experience His strength. Without our vulnerabilities, we cannot fully grasp the depth of His power and love.

Remember that God speaks through His Word in times of darkness and doubt. Accept your weaknesses, lean on your faith, and trust that God will guide you through every adversity. We suffer, but it strengthens our faith and hope.

Let us embrace these truths, letting them guide us to stay strong in our journey with God, regardless of our challenges. In doing so, we pay tribute to Him and create space for His light to illuminate our lives with warmth and grace.

**James Hudson Taylor spent 54 years in China. The society that he began was responsible for bringing over 800 missionaries to the country who started 125 schools[1] and directly resulted in 20,000 Christian conversions, as well as the establishment of more than 300 stations of work with more than 499 local helpers in all 18 provinces.[2]

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Our Daily Devotionals with Through The Word (TTW)

My sisters and I cherish our daily devotional time, and we’d love to share this meaningful practice with you. We use the Through The Word (TTW) Bible app daily to listen to inspiring messages rooted in scripture. We love growing in our faith together through TTW, remaining connected and encouraged wherever we are. Join us on this trip if you're new to devotional practices or searching for a new method to read God's Word. Try TTW's daily insights or establish your own devotional regimen!