Hi,
I would like to share what happened to me in May 2016.
I went through intense suffering for 3 years. God delivered me from the most of it 2 months ago. I do not understand why God allowed this to happen to me, but I can say my relationship with Him was the strongest I have ever experienced.
In May 2016 I was in great, great pain. I cried a lot, pleaded, begged; my prayers were intense for the whole thing to stop (it stopped more than 2 years later). Anyway, I was lying on my bed, sobbing and crying when suddenly, I got an image (first time in my life) of a figure sitting by my bed, and praying for me. It was so strong that I immediately stopped crying, I was so surprised. And also, the pain went away, and I felt better, when I had been feeling bad for a few weeks.
I thought a friend had been praying for me–not a lot of people knew about my circumstances. But when I asked her were you praying for me at that moment? She said she wasn’t.
So I thought maybe God had been sending an angel. And then I came across Romans 8, the second part of which is about suffering:
“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” (v.26)
Whether it was an angel or the Holy Spirit himself–I do not know–I just know it comforted me immediately. My circumstances didn’t change for another 27 months… and I still don’t get all the hows and whys of why did it have to happen to me, but I can say God IS there in the midst of it.
Emmali.
What a wonderful testimony, Emmali! God is with us in the midst of our suffering, He will never leave us or forsake us.
Praise God for your story of how God was with you in your time of pain. Yes, it is true that we don’t always know why we suffer and for so long but the good thing about suffering is that we can comfort others because we know what it’s like to be in pain. And we can share with others how God has helped us and what He’s done to answer our prayers. To build up faith in other believers and also share testimony of God’s faithfulness to people who don’t believe.
God bless you and I will pray for you. Suffering is not fun but it will never be wasted because God makes things turn for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.
So glad to have read your post. God indeed is closer to us especially during the tough times.
Don’t worry about the prolonged period of your circumstance. Sometimes we go through such to strengthen our faith and turn us back to Him. The end is always assured. Psalms 37:25 says that the righteous, according to David, in all his life were never forsaken. So don’t worry. Keep holding on.
God Bless