One Hundred Devotionals for the Suffering

By Gary Hessee

Everyone has suffered … some more so than others.

Gary Hessee has suffered through alcoholism, drugs, gambling, jail, and the death of his parents. He’s also had broken bones, two surgeries, a heart murmur, and a rattlesnake bite—not to mention having had to survive extreme weather and a car wreck.

The devotionals in this book explore the many causes of suffering. They also examine why suffering exists and its purpose. As you read, you’ll consider questions such as:

• How can a loving God allow suffering to continue in the world that He created?
• Does the Bible give us examples of suffering or indicators for how to deal with it?
• How should we respond when we meet someone who is suffering?

No matter what trials we meet, Jesus Christ is able to recognize our needs and help us. We need never doubt His ability to sympathize and reinforce. It is also worth noting that sometimes God puts us through problems so that we might better understand the needs of others and become able to encourage them.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Sep 22, 2021
• ISBN: 9781664241770

Gary Hessee

Gary Hessee has taught Bible study classes for more than thirty years and writes his own class material. He has taught in churches, senior centers, nursing homes, hospices, grade schools, and in jails.

Book preview

Copyright © 2021 Gary Hessee.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means,

graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by

any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author

except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author

and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of

the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of

people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.westbowpress.com

844-714-3454

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in

this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views

expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the

views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are

models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

All Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, New International

Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica,

Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

ISBN: 978-1-6642-4178-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-4179-4 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-4177-0 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2021915472

WestBow Press rev. date: 9/7/2021

CONTENTS

Introduction

1     Jesus And Suffering

2     Our Suffering Savior

3     Called To Suffer

4     God’s Will

5     Worthy Of Suffering

6     Courage

7     The Kingdom

8     Giving

9     Sickness

10   Patience

11   Comfort

12   Freedom

13   Holy Spirit

14   Work

15   Communion

16   Worship

17   Prayer

18   Mercy

19   Grief

20   Joy

21   Protection

22   Choices

23   Integrity

24   Wisdom

25   The Cross

26   The Light

27   Peace

28   Satan/Devil

29   Evil

30   Faith

31   Purity

32   Humility

33   Unity

34   Righteousness

35   Perseverance

36   Spiritual Food

37   Promises

38   The Church

39   The Incarnation

40   The Resurrection

41   Stewardship

42   Submission

43   Job

44   Compassion

45   Weakness

46   Assurance

47   Service

48   Rest

49   Kindness

50   The Word Of God

51   The Sabbath

52   Healing

53   Praise

54   The Fall

55   Sin

56   Listen

57   Doubt

58   Encouragement

59   Shame

60   The Untouchables

61   Miracles

62   Purpose

63   Reconciliation

64   Holiness

65   Persecution

66   Transformation

67   Hope

68   Truth

69   Obedience

70   Pride

71   Sacrifice

72   Fellowship

73   Fear

74   Forgiveness

75   Promises

76   Thanks

77   Promises

78   Justification

79   Not Appointed To Suffer

80   Ascended

81   Revelation

82   Trust

83   Comfort

84   Glory

85   God’s Love

86   Repentance

87   Redemption

88   The Enemy

89   Death

90   Eternal Life

91   Heaven

92   Salvation

93   Sanctification

94   New Life

95   Seeking God

96   Following Jesus

97   Unbelief

98   Share His Sufferings

99   Witnessing

100 Grace

About The Author

INTRODUCTION

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. A very famous Bible verse gives me the clue of how to begin this devotional. The answer is the right approach. What is the right way to approach writing about suffering?

Nobody wants to listen to a Pollyanna who has never gone through tough circumstances preach about how to handle suffering. There is a good reason for this. It’s called authenticity. We all know this, but it can still be so easy to spout platitudes or quote scriptures that seem to say everything will turn out okay.

Am I competent enough to write about suffering? Do I really know what suffering is? My qualifications include suffering because of alcoholism, drugs, gambling, jail, and the death of my parents. Physically, they include broken bones, two surgeries, a rattlesnake bite, extreme weather (75 below in Alaska and 128 above in Arizona), a car wreck, and now a heart murmur.

Almost every living person on earth will witness suffering at least once in their lifetimes. Suffering as we know it is defined as the pain we experience due to an injury, medical negligence, or even disturbances in one’s family life.

When illness does come, it may not be the result of God’s direct intervention in our lives; it may be the result of the fallen world, fallen bodies, or poor health and lifestyle choices. God is still in control. God sometimes allows sin and/or Satan to cause bodily suffering. Even when sickness is not directly from God, He will still use it according to His perfect will.

Illness is part of living in this world. We will all suffer heartaches, injuries, disappointments, lack, rejection, and sickness. Still, God is still in control. God, from time to time, allows sin and/or Satan to cause physical suffering. Even when sickness is not directly from God, He will still use it according to His perfect will.

Of all the trials thrown at Christianity in modern times, maybe the most difficult is explaining suffering. How can a loving God allow suffering to continue in the world that He created? How does the Bible address this issue? Does the Bible give us any examples of suffering or indicators for how to deal with it? Let’s look for answers.

1

39988.png

JESUS AND SUFFERING

Suffering has been part of the human experience since people fell into sin. The Psalms, one-third of which are laments, include explicit images of suffering.

Why do Christians, God’s own children, suffer? Hardships are mutual experiences of all men because sin has soiled all of God’s creation. But God’s children suffer because of His love, which deters them from the bonds of this world, cleans them to withstand dishonesty, and eventually prepares them for a magnificent eternity with their Savior.

Christians need to live with full knowledge that the sovereign God is in control. Some people flourish beyond their wildest dreams while others suffer malicious persecution, but the King rules in the lives of His people. So, in following Peter’s advice, believers should be the happiest people on earth, whether rich or poor, wealthy or wronged.

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. (1 Peter 4:12–16 NIV)

The passage goes on: But rejoice that you are now participating in the sufferings of Christ. Now that seems a bit much. When we committed our lives to following Jesus, we did not expect that level of pain or identification with Christ. This devotional challenges us to continue to trust our faithful God in the middle of all circumstances.

Peter closes by promising the faithful that when the end does come and the truth is finally exposed, believers will experience great joy. The misfortunes will be over. Jesus will be glorified, and believers will share in that outstanding glory with joy that far surpasses anything that can be known in this earthly life.

Be confident that your life is directed by the will of your loving sovereign Lord who has ordained all that happens for your good and for His glory. We can rest and, yes, even celebrate in His faithfulness and perfect will.

Please help me, Lord, to see Your will directing the circumstances of pain. Support me, Lord, so that I do not to abandon right living just because living is hard. May my submission to You direct praise and glory Your way even if it means that insults and suffering will be directed my way. Thank You, Lord, for helping me see that suffering is necessary. Amen.

2

39988.png

OUR SUFFERING SAVIOR

The physical suffering that Jesus willingly endured was beyond horrific. To better understand the extent of His suffering is to get a hint of His love for us. As horrible as His physical suffering was, we must understand that it diminished in comparison to the suffering He suffered in His heart, as He took upon Himself the sins of the world and was separated from His Father. That is indeed love beyond compare.

The Bible tells us that we have all sinned; we have all committed evil deeds. As a result of our sin, we deserve God’s anger and judgment. The only just punishment for sins committed against an infinite and eternal God is an endless punishment. That is why we need a Savior!

During the days of Jesus’s life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. (Hebrews 5:7 NIV)

The writer reminds us of how, while Jesus was here on earth, He agonized as He prepared to face death. While Jesus cried out to God, asking to be delivered, He was ready to suffer disgrace, separation from His Father, and death in order to do God’s will. He offered prayers and pleadings, with crying and tears. He knew He had been sent to die, but in His humanity, He faced pronounced fear and sorrow over what He knew would happen. In His humanity, He did not want to die, but He acquiesced himself to the Father’s will, and God heard His prayers. Jesus suffered great anguish and death in submission to God. But His prayer was answered in that He was saved from the power of death. He overcame death through His resurrection.

Jesus recognizes our suffering. We read that Jesus prayed passionately with fervent cries and tears, which is something many of us have done when facing trying situations. We have pleaded with God to heal our disease, to save our jobs, to bring our children to faith, to save us from impending danger, and to extend a loved one’s life.

No matter what trials we meet, Jesus Christ is able to recognize our needs and help us. We need never doubt His ability to sympathize and reinforce. It is also worth noting that sometimes God puts us through problems so that we might better understand the needs of others and become able to encourage them.

Lord, please forgive me for the sins I have committed against others and help me bear unjust suffering by following the example of Christ, my Lord and my hope. Amen.

3

39988.png

CALLED TO SUFFER

Why me? Why now? What is God doing? Suffering is a means God uses to get our attention and to achieve His purposes in our lives. It is intended to build our trust in the Almighty, but suffering necessitates the right response if it is to be successful in accomplishing God’s purposes. Suffering forces us to turn from trust in our own resources to living by faith in God’s resources.

Suffering is not in itself virtuous, and it is not a sign of holiness. It is also not a means of gaining favor with God or of subduing the flesh. When it is possible, suffering is to be avoided. Christ avoided suffering unless it meant acting in defiance to the Father’s will.

But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his steps. (1 Peter 2:20–21 NIV)

Each Christian has been called by God’s grace to salvation, and they are also called to abandon their selfish desires in pursuit of His kingdom. Since the world opposes the Lord, that calling often includes suffering. Jesus provided the critical example for His followers. Because of His immense love for the lost, He left his throne in glory, entered His own creation, suffered unspeakable brutalities, and provided the perfect sacrifice on a shameful cross.

Christ’s suffering was entirely unjust because He never sinned or deceived anyone. There was no good reason for His being condemned to death. From his own experience, Peter knew that Jesus was perfect. He had lived and traveled with Jesus for three years. Close relationships often disclose the worst in people, but Peter had seen the truth of the Prophet’s words. Christ was completely sinless in His life and in His words. How should the child of God respond?

Jesus demonstrated integrity by refusing to answer evil with evil. Payback is really only a form of contrary injustice, so it only makes