I’m still recovering from the exposure but I already felt well enough to do all of our laundry today! At around 5pm this evening we got back on the road toward Rapid City. The film crew is coming tomorrow and we need to be ready.
During the trip we remembered a talk that Brett gave at our church four years ago, just one year after our happy newlywed life had completely fallen apart. It was about how we were coping with our suffering and we wondered whether it might encourage some of my readers. We decided to listen to it again and see what we thought.
My heart almost skipped a beat. Would it bring back a lot of painful memories? Would it make me cry uncontrollably?
My sweet Brett’s words did bring up a lot of emotions, but thankfully not a crying festival. In the end, it challenged and encouraged us and we decided that it would be worth sharing on the blog. I hope some of Brett’s words will resonate with you and fill your heart with courage.
I also want to take a moment to acknowledge that many of my readers are not Christians or even religious at all. If that is you, I just want to say that I am so honored that you are following my recovery journey! My goal in my writing is to be myself without alienating those who believe differently than I do. It’s a hard balance to strike but I’m doing my best.
If you do believe differently, then perhaps this talk won’t resonate with you. On the other hand, perhaps you will find encouragement in seeing how a person of faith wrestles through issues of suffering. Either way, I want you to know that I respect you and I want my blog to be a place where everyone can come away with a little more courage and hope.
Secondly, if you are a Christian, I just want to acknowledge that this talk is missing one very important piece of how we are called to endure suffering: Lament. Lament is something we’ve been thinking a lot about recently and we’re just now learning how to do it. So, I just want to reassure you that, yes, lament is an appropriate response to suffering and it is still an expression of trust in God. In the end, I think our approach to suffering will be healthiest and most beautiful when it’s a natural cycle of lament for things lost, gratitude for things gained and hope for a new earth.
So, without further ado,
Trusting God in the Midst of Suffering
By the way, Brett and I made a beautiful PDF of my favorite resources for suffering souls. I created the content and he made it look fancy with his superduper graphic design skills. It’s available for free to my email subscribers. Click here to sign up and receive 5 Resources for the Suffering Soul.
17 Comments
Wow I just finished listening to this with tears in my eyes. What a testimony. I was one of those actually who debated the “Harris twins” at the PNW tournaments. I was no good at all but they were very good. 🙂 I’m most struck by the idea (or the truth rather) that trusting in God is a discipline. I’ve had various seasons of suffering in my life and my current one can’t possibly compare to your situation, but I am blessed by what Brett has shared. Encouraged by the faith in Christ that we share. I have found it hard to accept some of my current circumstances and not regard them as a “detour.” This is my journey, the moment I’m in right now.
July 17, 2017 at 8:22 pmAww… I’m so glad God used this to encourage you Sarah! That’s awesome that you debated with them. 😊
July 20, 2017 at 8:41 amThanks for shareing with us that was vary encourageing .
July 17, 2017 at 9:56 pmI’m so glad Ellie!
July 20, 2017 at 8:41 amDude…..
July 18, 2017 at 8:22 am😊
July 20, 2017 at 8:41 amWOW!! Amazing!! What can you say except Brett was made “for such a time as this!” And you’re right Ana, lament is sorely lacking in our vocabulary, ministry, and what’s taught in churches. Seems that since we can control so much in our country that people, even Christians, are not taught how to cope when things happen that are out of our control. Thanks for being a voice on this very important, and neglected, topic. Ana, I know you will be very blessed and helped in your grieving journey by the book, A Grace Disguised: How the Soul Grows Through Loss. I’m sure it’s available on ebook. I’ve given this to many people and I don`t think there’s another equal resource available that deals with loss recovery on the level that you spoke of in that post awhile back. And please tell Brett his words and work are a lasting legacy for future generations!! Appreciate you both!!
July 18, 2017 at 3:35 pmThanks so much Chris! Thank you also for the book recommendation. I looked it up and it’s available in kindle.
July 20, 2017 at 8:42 amThank you for sharing this! Brett’s words are very encouraging. I agree with you that lament is a right response to suffering that needs to be recognized. I also listened to Tim Keller’s sermon on Psalm 88. Thank you for sharing that! I’m still trying to process that and Brett’s talk through brain fog, so I’m sure I’ll listen again. I often struggle to read because of cognitive impairment, but thankfully I am usually able to listen. So anything I can listen to that points me to Jesus and helps me have a biblical perspective on suffering is a great help. Thanks again for sharing. Praying you recover from the most recent exposure and for your endurance through these trials.
July 18, 2017 at 6:36 pmI’m so glad this was a help Jen. I completely understand the cognitive impairment. I had that really badly for a long time. I’m glad you were feeling well enough to listen. 💕
July 20, 2017 at 8:44 amThank you, Ana! Brett’s words and yours are always so in tune, just like you are as husband and wife. That was incredible to listen to. I’ve flown out of that same airport, and had the same revelation: the sun still shines above the clouds. The sun always shines above the clouds, whether I can see it or not! God never changes, though all else can and will. How we see God changes throughout our lives, and it was wonderful to hear where you and Brett were a few years ago in light of where you are today. You have been growing and persevering and blessing others all along, at every stage, even in your darkest times when you couldn’t even feel the blessing yourself. That’s special. That’s incredible. I am so thankful my aunt told me about the YWW, and through that group I got to “meet” such sweet, humble, compassionate people. Thank you for being honest Christians, and openly sharing so many personal sorrows and joys with people like me. It means so very much. Thank you, and God bless your today!
July 18, 2017 at 6:40 pmAww… Thank you so much Ruth. This is so sweet! I’m so glad you found the YWW too. 😊💕
July 20, 2017 at 8:46 amThis was truly my favorite post so far, I finished listening to the message with tears in my eyes – especially at the part when he talked to the senior in collage, when he wished he could go back to tell her how his life is now. It’s amazing. ” When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow; when thou walkest though the fire, thou shalt not be burned.” Isaiah 43:2
July 19, 2017 at 6:09 pmAww! I’m so glad it touched your heart Bella. ❤️
July 20, 2017 at 8:47 amJust listened to this. An excellent message (as I’d expect from Brett.) Thanks so much for sharing it. Great reminders as I walk alongside a dear friend dying of cancer.
July 28, 2017 at 10:30 pmI’m glad it was helpful Samantha! So sorry to hear about your sweet friend. Hugs! ❤️
July 29, 2017 at 7:46 amJust over a year ago I listened to that message by Brett, and at the time I were homeless because of mold, and life was nuts. It encouraged me so much though, and I listened to it another time or two during those weeks, including with my family, and have shared it with so many people since then. I’m so sorry for all you guys have had to go through, but you have both been such an encouragement to me as I watch you in your incredible trials. 🙂
August 28, 2017 at 9:27 pm