Suffering is a universal truth of life.
Everyone suffers, whether rich or poor, powerful or weak. As Jesus said, “He … causes the rain to fall on the just and the unjust” Matthew 5:45. Suffering does not become easier as you get older. When it hurts, it hurts! But handling suffering becomes easier—because with experience, you gain coping skills. And I have good news! You don’t have to learn all your skills through the school of hard knocks. That is, you don’t have to learn everything by experience.
The best strategy for handling suffering is to prepare for suffering in advance.
And the best way to prepare for suffering is to memorize Bible verses about suffering.
Find a half dozen or a dozen scriptures[1] about overcoming adversity, write them down, and memorize them. Go over them, rehearsing and practicing them every day until they transform your thinking about suffering.
A second way to prepare for suffering is to develop a habit of talking to God about his greatness every day.
Make praise a habit—and then when tragedy strikes, you will be able to praise God in spite of your circumstances.
Consider Psalm 102. The writer complains about how badly he is suffering, but then he forces himself to stop complaining and praise God anyway.
“Hear my prayer, Lord … My days vanish like smoke, my bones burn like glowing embers. My heart is blighted and withered like grass. I forget to eat my food. In my distress I groan aloud and am reduced to skin and bones … I lie awake. I have become like a bird alone on a roof … For I eat ashes for my food and mingle my drink with tears. I wither away like grass. But you, Lord, sit enthroned forever. Your renown endures through all generations. You will arise and have compassion” Psalm 102:1-13.
The psalmist is clearly suffering, yet he takes control of his own thoughts and forces himself to praise God in spite of his suffering. You can do the same thing: arrest your thoughts and make them obey: “Take your thoughts captive so they obey Christ” 2 Corinthians 10:5.
When everything around you seems to be falling apart, you will find an oasis of peace during the few minutes when you train your attention on God’s greatness, his success, his victory, his power, and his love for you. Read the following verses to God, speaking them to him as a prayer:
“The Lord reigns. He is clothed with majesty. The Lord is clothed with strength … Your throne is established of old, thou art from everlasting … The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waters of the sea” Psalm 93:1-2,4.
“For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the deep places of the earth. The strength of the hills is his also” Psalm 95:3-4.
“The Lord is great, and [deserves] greatly to be praised [by me!] … He is to be feared above all gods … the Lord made the heavens … Give unto the Lord the glory due his name” Psalm 96:4-5,8.[2]
Dear God, teach us to praise you. Teach us to praise you when things are good, and to praise you when they are not. Help us memorize scripture about hope and praise during adversity.
AΩ
[1] Six verses on suffering worth committing to memory: Romans 8:28, 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, Proverbs 3:5-6, Philippians 4:12-13, 1 Peter 5:10, James 1:2-4.
[2] I have always enjoyed the ten psalms between 90-99. They include many great lines of praise spoken directly to God.
Household Words: 