Key scripture – “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” (Hebrews 4:15-16),

When hardship strikes some people, they will turn away from God. Something bad happens to them that doesn’t make sense, and they conclude, “There can’t be a God if something like that could happen to me.” They turn against Him and essentially find a belief system that accommodates their feelings.

But our God is a suffering God. Jesus Christ was God incarnate, and no one ever suffered like Jesus. Not only did He endure the physical pain of the whipping, beating, and the crucifixion, but He bore all the sins of the world on Himself as He hung on Calvary’s cross and cried out, “Eli, Eli Lena sabachthani,” that is, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46).

When you are suffering, you need to know that you’re talking to a God who knows what you are going through. You will find in Jesus a merciful High Priest and a faithful friend who feels your pain. Hebrews 4:15 says, “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.”

We can’t live in a pain-free world, as much as we would like to try. When trouble comes (and it will come), when crisis knocks at your door (and it will knock), when your circumstances hit you like a brick wall (and it will) you can either become angry at God or you can turn to Him and trust in Him.

Here is your choice in life: you can become better or bitter. It is usually one or the other. When something bad happens, you can say, “I am so mad at God. I am so angry and bitter towards God.” Or you could say, “I am going to trust in God. I am going to cling to God. I will not fear because God is right here with me and He loves me. I will not doubt because God is in control. I am believing all of His promises and putting all of my weight on them.” If you do that, you will become better as a result of your trial. It is really up to you.

Everyone experiences hardships, pain and problems, will you allow it to make you bitter or better?

Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, I will not let my hardships, pain, and problems no matter how many I have or how big they seem, make me bitter. No matter what is going on in my life, I believe Your promises and I put all of my weight on them. I will cling to You and never let You go, because without You, I have nothing. Thank You for Jesus, the merciful High Priest, who not only understands what I am going through but is also praying for me. That is so comforting to me. “Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” (Romans 8:34). Father, because I have You and Your Word; I will never give up, I will never give in, I will never shrink back, and I will never ever turn away from You. I will not be discouraged or afraid because The Lord, My God, is with me wherever I go. Pour Your Spirit on me, fill my cup again, and anoint my head with oil. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.