grateful for Christ

These are just two little thoughts I had today on how to proceed when suffering.  I pray that this isn’t like the blind trying to lead the blind.  Please, Father, let these words be living water to others’ souls.

1. Maintain your relationship with God. This should be obvious, but it is the most vital thing.  Typically when we are suffering our natural instinct is to search for a way out.  As Christians, however, we know that step one in all situations is to affirm God’s supremacy in our lives.  Our natural man cries out, “Curse God and die so that you can be free from this pain!”  But in Christ we take a cue from Mary (Jesus’ mom) and say, “I am the Lord’s servant.  May it be to me as you have said.”  Only then do we begin to prayerfully look around and see if our Father has given us a way out.  If not, we endure, abiding all the while with our Friend, until our deliverance comes.
2. Consider others. Pain tends to blind us to anything but our own pain.  We easily latch on to fixing what feels to us like the most pressing need: the alleviation of our suffering.  However, if we take our eyes off ourselves and instead look at others through Christ’s eyes, we will find out how much more sensitive we are to their suffering than if we were plodding through life without trouble.  Be careful, though.  Because of your suffering, you might truly be too blind to offer any help to others, but you can at least pray for those you see suffering.  Then, if God gives you anything to share, share it.  If not, know that your prayers will reach the throne of God–just pray for them with the commitment with which you hope others are praying for you.