Peace in Suffering

May 6, 2025 | by Major Lynda Thornhill

Major Lynda Thornhill

Territorial Mission, Evangelism & Cultural Ministries Secretary

USA Southern Territory

Scripture: Psalm 37

The Underdog

            I love a good story, where we see the struggle of the character and know how the story will end but experience their pain through every trial. One of my favorite movies that I watch every time it is on TV is the original version of “Overboard,” with Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell. Joanna Staton is a privileged woman who along with her husband Grant, live the good life on their yacht. Through a series of unfortunate events, she finds herself suffering from amnesia and living a lifestyle she seems to remember as beneath her. At one point she states, “I do not belong here, I feel it. Don't you think I feel it? I cannot do any of these vile things, and I would not want to. Oh, my life is like death….”

            Have you been at that stage in your life? When things are not how they are supposed to be? You don’t know the way forward and you ask, “WHY ME?” Longsuffering is a word that is as painful as it sounds. Quite simply, it means showing patience despite troubles, especially those caused by other people. A conflict at work, a broken relationship, the death of a loved one. At one point in our life we have all experienced this. I’m not too good at showing patience during my suffering. In fact, my suffering brings about quite the opposite reaction: whining, feeling sorry for myself and making others around me feel the same. Can anyone relate to the this, or am I the only one?

Suffering in the Bible

            There are several instances of suffering that we find in the Bible. Joseph was hated by his brothers. Moses had a speech impairment. David was tempted and gave into adultery. Peter denied knowing Jesus. Paul was tormented by a “thorn in the flesh.” And the most remarkable account of suffering is Job. He had everything, a good family, a distinguished name, and plenty of wealth. But he lost it all in an instant, not because of anything he had done, but because Satan wanted to test his faith in God. Each of these instances of suffering is different, some being caused by others, some caused due to personal choices, and one through no fault of their own.

            Why does a loving God allow suffering? In the beginning God could have stopped Satan from deceiving or even prevent Adam and Eve from being deceived in the Garden of Eden, which would have done away with suffering all together. Instead, God loved His creation so much that He provided freewill rather than forced love. God wants us to love and serve Him freely, not out of obligation. Unfortunately, with that freedom comes the choice to sin against Him and suffer the consequences.

            In each trial experienced, Joseph, Moses, David, Peter, Paul, and Job, they remained faithful. That faithfulness did not mean mistakes were not made. It did not mean they were not frustrated or upset. It did not mean they were not exempt from the consequences of their choices. What it meant was that when they focused on God rather than their circumstance. They were reminded of God’s faithfulness to bring them through their suffering.

            While suffering is different for each of us, just as it was for those mentioned above, what we do know is that through it all God is sovereign. C. S. Lewis says, “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain. It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” And because of this we have HOPE! Hope that in His time our suffering will come to an end.

The Wisdom of the Word

As we deal with the WHY’S in our life and cling to the promise of hope, I pray we can reflect on the wisdom of David in Psalm 37.  

Verse 3:          “Trust in the Lord.”

Trust Him with the good and the bad, knowing that He is with you through it all. Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight."

Verse 4:          “Delight in the Lord.”

Spend time with God. Read your Bible. Pray to Him and share your struggles as well as your joy. And enjoy being in His presence. Ephesians 5: 1 – 2 “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

Verse 5:          “Commit your way to the Lord.”

Give your future to Him. Trust that He will guide you, preparing each step along the way. Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not, for I am  with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

Verse 7:          “Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him.”

Many have difficulty with rest and patience. But rest is a gift from the Lord that gives peace. We are only able to experience this rest when we have total dependance on Him, surrendering our own need for control. Isaiah 26:3 “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”

Verse 34:        “Wait on the Lord and keep His way.”

Waiting is another struggle for many. We expect immediate responses, creating impatience. James 5:7-8 “Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.”

When we live a life close to the Lord, with total trust and confidence in Him, our struggles will not disappear, but we will find the hope we need to persevere. It is then that we will experience peace in our suffering.

Our Corporate Prayer

Dear Lord, We have experienced enough of life to know that suffering is part of it. We thank You that You have proven that You not only are present with us in that suffering, but that you can give us peace in it as well. We feel our grief, our concerns, our pain but in that, we also know that strength of Your steadying hand that holds and guides us through. We know we are safe with You even though our walk feels shaky. Remind us as You do through Psalm 37 of Your presence, O Gentle Shepherd. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Our Worldwide Prayer Meeting
Kenya East Territory

Thinking It Through

Even though we have experienced suffering, and the Bible is clear that suffering is a part of our experience as believers, why is it that we seem to be surprised when it comes? Can we be prepared? If so, how is that done?

Notable Quotables

In many lives I have seen the exhibition of patience in suffering to be a greater miracle than the power of healing, knowing that the sick have not taken their lot as a meaningless stroke of fate, but as a God given occasion to share in the vast fellowship of human suffering. - General Wilfred Kitching

We would appreciate any feedback and/or suggestions on how to improve these devotionals. Please email comments to: [email protected] or by going to our website: https://southernusa.salvationarmy.org/uss/spiritual-life-development.
We would love to hear from you.

Lt. Colonel Allen Satterlee
Territorial Spiritual Life Development Officer/THQ Chaplain
USA Southern Territory