From the depths of suffering, beauty grows. 

When all seems lost, then comes the rose. 

Tragedy and suffering can come out of nowhere leaving us lost and utterly broken. We carry scars on our bodies and some that linger deep within our hearts and minds. But my dear friend, no matter what you are dealing with; there is an answer; do not surrender to despair.

After suffering the serious accident I went through last Christmas where I fell hiking and broke my neck, I just see life in a deeper way. I could have died but by the mercy of Jesus and not a day goes by I do not thank Him and look to please Him someway. In suffering, I learned something, that can change everything. God is a Father so magnificent He designed a strategy to navigate tragedy and can actually use our suffering for our good. Like a rose He will cultivate hope where there was only hurt. You can read the story of what to me a few posts back called "Mercy on the Mountain". 

When I was laying in the hospital waiting for surgery, my brother sent me a photo of the most exquisite rose I had ever seen. It was growing right under my hospital window. I thought about that incredible reality. A rose only grows when a seed dies. Delicate petals surrounded by sharp

thorns. It encapsulated the reality of how such 'thorns’ in life are always involved in creating

something so magnificent. Strength from struggle. A purpose in the pain. Triumph though the tragedy. Beauty from brokenness. It is out of the depths of our pain and through the cracks of our scars where new life can begin. 

There is an outer and inner dimension to life. God can orchestrate our suffering and bad things we face on the outside to build remarkable stuff within us like heart. The outer is passing away, inner transformation is eternal (2 Cor. 4:16-18). 

When faced with suffering, no matter how serious, we still retain the ability to choose how we respond. The attitude we choose holds the power to shape our life. Self-pity, bitterness and regret lead to despair. Pride and self strength are barriers that keep us from God. But suffering can break down those walls and bring us down to what is real. God can only help us if we are real. So if we respond with humility and faith then the Father will come to us and use our affliction as a catalyst for good. I choose to interpret my suffering not as God punishing me, but calling me closer to Him as a Father deals with His children (Heb.12:6,7). 

God is not distracted up in heaven, oblivious and detached to your suffering here on earth. He is intimately aware of every facet of your being. He knows each sparrow that falls, so how much more when we fall?(Mt.10:29/Is.43). The question is not if He will hear your voice, but if you will hear His, calling you to come to Him (Jn.10/27Mt.11:28). God is not a pastor wanting you to go a “church” or give money. He is not expecting us to be good enough to get up to Him, but a Father so good, He sent Jesus down here to get to us. Whatever you are  dealing with, Jesus already dealt with. He bore all our sin on His body on the cross (1Pet.2:24). He did everything that has to be done to rescue you from hell and all He asks, is that you believe in Him. He will come to you and walk you through your fear and pain and all the dark places in your mind. He will heal mental trauma and mend emotional wounds. He will give you grace through physical pain. He will bestow on you eternal forgiveness. He will redeem your past and infuse you with purpose and joy. 

Invest time to study the Gospel of John all by yourself. Jesus said, in this world, YOU WILL SUFFER, (because it belongs to the devil), But He overcame it all (Jn.16:33/1Jn5:19). 

I know life is hard dear friend, but all that matters is to make it through this life to eternal life. All our hurts and failures as well as our hopes and desires are combined in our life. Do what I did. Take that life and give it to Jesus. It will be the single best decision you will ever make. Like a “root out of dry ground”, His life will grow within you. Ask Jesus to be born from above. Learn how to communicate with God. When you pray, engage your heart to reach His heart. See Jesus as a Brother, by your side, listening. He offers real solutions to every unbearable thing you face. (Is.53). 

Don’t think about what suffering took from you, discover what it gave you.

“The Lord is near to the broken” His “power is perfected in weakness” 

Read: Sal34:18/ 51:17 / Is.57:15 /Rm.5:3/Is.61./ Mt.5:3. /Icor.1:27/2cor.12:9/ , Prov.15:33). I care about you:  Mercy Ruth +1 702- 305 -8491 - alwayscompassion.com