Baggage Claim — Hang Ups - Tuesday
Today’s Verse
Romans 5:3
Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance. (ESV)
My mother-in-law is the salt of the earth. She loves the Lord, loves to worship with the Church. She serves, and if you need help, she would do anything within her power to help you. I think of her as more of a mom than a mother-in-law. She has been there for every celebration and hardship of my life over the last 30 years. She is amazing!
Her life, however, has not been easy. She has lost three children, one at 15, one at 35, and my wife, Amy, at 50. On top of that, she has gone through two divorces and lost another husband to a heart attack. Suffering is something she is accustomed to, but I don’t want to make light of it. Every loss is significant and has caused her great pain. But, through it all, she trusted and remained faithful to the Lord. Does she hear Satan’s lies? Of course. She struggles with sadness and understanding her worth. Some mornings, it's hard to get out of bed, and some days she doesn’t want to leave the house. But she pushes through. She remains faithful. And through it all, she has endured and will continue to endure.
We live in a broken world, but we have a perfect God who can redeem our suffering. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” God can use your pain to draw you close to Himself and to teach you endurance.
REFLECTION
In what ways have you suffered? Are you finding it difficult to hear God’s voice over the noise of Satan’s lies? Pray that God will use your pain for His glory and draw you closer to Him.