Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself. As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself. // Wisdom 3:5-6
Suffering. It is intense, painful, messy, and difficult. I hate feeling stuck when I cannot understand God’s will, see the next steps clearly, or hear His voice in prayer. It can be so frustrating.
There is a petition that I often ask for in prayer that has been incredibly fruitful in seasons of suffering: Father, please help me to see this as you see this.
This is what the Father sees:
- He sees me, His beloved daughter.
- He knows me intimately—my strengths, weaknesses, joys, sorrows, wounds, and scars.
- He uniquely loves me in a way that my heart can understand and receive.
- He understands every last detail about the situation I am in.
- He finds me worthy.
- He sees how He will provide, in generous abundance.
- He knows my longing to spend eternity with Him in our heavenly home.
Our loving Father also helps us to turn back to Him through a little chastisement. Our harsh, modern understanding of chastisement loses the Latin etymology of castus agere—“to make pure.” The purification of our hearts that comes from redemptive suffering leads us to deeper union with Him. It also strengthens our trustful surrender.
Sister, the Father gives gentle reminders to turn to Him, especially in the midst of suffering. As the Psalmist reminds us today, “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves” (Psalm 34:19). Next time you are in the midst of suffering, pray for Him to show you His view. Let your suffering lead you deeper into the safety of the Trinity’s love.
Rose Coleman is an elementary school teacher with a heart for pilgrimage. She traveled the globe on a ship during college and spent some years in the convent as a religious sister. She was a contributing author to All She Had, Blessed Conversations: Rooted, and our children’s devotional prayer book called Rise Up. Find out more about her here.
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