When you're hurting, it's hard to see past the pain right in front of you. A diagnosis, a loss, or a long season of struggle can quietly steal our joy and leave us asking, "Where is God in this?"
On the night before His own suffering, Jesus gave His disciples a picture every family understands: a mother in labor, whose pain gives way to joy the moment she holds her baby.
In this devotion, Pastor Patterson unpacks John 16 and shows how knowing where we're going changes how we walk through hard times. If you're carrying something heavy right now, this message is for you.
"No matter what you're hurting with, make it a good day for Him by trusting Him and living in hope while you suffer."
— Pastor Don Patterson
Questions to Ponder
- Pastor Patterson says much of our distress in suffering comes from believing deep down that earth ought to be heaven. Where in your life have you been expecting this world to give you what only heaven can?
- Of the three questions — Who am I? Why am I here? Where am I going? — which one do you think about least? How might a clearer answer to "Where am I going?" change the way you face what you're going through right now?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You know every sorrow I carry, and You've already overcome the world. When suffering tempts me to doubt Your love, remind me that this pain is temporary and that joy is coming that no one can take away. Help me live in faith and hope today, trusting You with every hard thing. Amen.
Scripture to sit with this week:
Know someone walking through a hard season? Forward this to them. Sometimes the right words at the right time make all the difference.
