How to Walk in Hope | Looking to Eternity

The Hope in Suffering

Today, we’re diving into a powerful reflection on suffering, hope, and God's sovereignty.

I watched a movie in December 2023 called The Shift, which is what lead me to share this with you. The film tells a story of immense suffering and loss, drawing clear parallels to the story of Job in the Bible. It made me reflect deeply on the reality of suffering and how we, as believers, are to live when the world feels heavy.

The Movie: A Modern Parallel to the Story of Job

In The Shift, the main character experiences many of the same struggles Job faced: losing everything he loves, enduring physical pain, and being abandoned by those he thought he could trust. Watching this movie raised a lot of questions for me—questions that I'd like to explore with you today.

What Happens When Suffering Doesn't End with Restoration on earth?

Before I dive deeper into what the Spirit spoke, let me share some initial thoughts that were running through my mind after watching The Shift. You see, I hadn't read the Book of Job in a long time, and so much of its details had faded from my memory. When I saw this movie, I couldn't help but wonder: What happens to believers who suffer, yet don’t receive restoration on earth in the way Job did?

I thought of a homeless man I met when I was 16. He was a follower of the Lord, living on the streets after losing his home due to health issues. He had no living relatives, and yet, despite his hardships, he loved and followed the Lord faithfully. I also thought of believers who have battled terminal illnesses, and those who have been martyred for their faith. These are people who endured suffering without receiving the two-fold restoration that Job did — so where does that leave us? What about those who die amidst their suffering?

God's Response: A Reminded Truth

As these questions appeared in my mind, the Lord spoke to me, comforting my anxious thoughts. He reminded me that while we see suffering in the world, and in the lives of believers, our suffering is not in vain.

But before I go further, let's do a brief overview of Job's story to refresh our memories, so we can understand this truth more fully.

A Brief Overview of Job

The Book of Job is a story about suffering, faith, and God's sovereignty. Here’s a quick overview:

1. Job's Integrity: Job was a man described as "blameless and upright" (Job 1:1), one who feared God and shunned evil.

2. The Test: God allowed Satan to bring destruction into Job’s life, stripping him of his wealth, his health, and even his family.

3. Job's Friends: His three friends accused him of suffering because of sin, but Job knew he had lived righteously and contended that his suffering was unjust.

4. A Fourth Friend: A younger friend, led by the Spirit of God, urged Job to humble himself and accept God's trials.

5. God Speaks: Job questions God and God responds, reminding Job of His infinite wisdom and sovereignty over all things.

6. Restoration: After Job responds in obedience and prayed for his friends, God restored everything Job lost, giving him twice as much as before.

I want to encourage you to read through the book yourself, but now that we are reminded of the main points, let’s circle back to the questions I asked the Lord about suffering.

The Eternal Hope We Have in Christ

The man I met all those years ago, living on the streets, knew something powerful: his present suffering, though deep, could not compare to the eternal glory he would experience in heaven. His heart was in tune with God and he trusted in the hope of being in God’s presence for eternity.

Likewise, those believers who have not lost hope in their suffering from terminal illnesses or fighting battles with their health are aware that, one day, all pain and sickness will be no more.

This doesn’t mean their pain isn’t real, nor does it mean that knowing this truth immediately takes the pain away. But it does provide hope, peace and comfort within suffering. It gives us something greater to look toward—something that transcends our earthly struggles.

Romans 8:18-25 reminds us of this truth:

”I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.“

Paul reminds us that the suffering we experience now is not even worth comparing to the glory that will one day be revealed in us. We must hold on to this hope as we patiently endure our trials.

Jesus, too, speaks to this in Matthew 6:19-20, where He says:

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.“

Our treasures are not in this world. And when we suffer, we are reminded to look beyond this temporary world and set our sights on eternity.

How Do We Keep Hope in the Midst of Suffering?

How do we keep hope alive in the face of suffering, especially when we see others around us enduring similar pain? The answer is found in Deuteronomy 30:20, where Israel is told to

“Love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him…”

In the context of this scripture it is towards the people of Israel, however, it can be applied to us today.

The Hebrew word for “hold fast” is דבק (dabaq), which means to cling to something—to stay attached, to never let go. And in times of suffering, this is what we must do: cling to God. Hold fast to Him. Ande never let go. We must “love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him.”

In Psalm 143, the psalmist writes:

“So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed. I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. I spread out my hands to you; I thirst for you like a parched land.”

(Psalm 143:5-6)

In moments of overwhelm, when we feel like we can’t carry on, we are to remember, meditate, and consider the works of God. We are to thirst for Him, to seek His presence with all that we are.

I find myself going back to this scripture when experiencing something heavy. In moments when I feel overwhelmed and like I can't handle another thing. In moments when I find myself saying to God, “Where are you?” I hear these words. remember, meditate, consider, and thirst.

Remember, all that God has done in the past. Both in your life and the lives of others.

Meditate, on all God’s mighty works.

Consider, what God’s hands have done.

Thirst. Thirst for God and his presence. Go be with him in the Secret Place.

The Ultimate Hope and a Call to Hope

As believers, we have a hope that the world does not have. We know that, one day, we will spend eternity with God. No more pain, no more tears. When we suffer, we can cling to the truth that this is not the end. This suffering is temporary, but the glory of heaven is eternal. Cling to Him in your suffering, and let the truth of eternity fill your heart with peace and hope.

But for those who don’t know Jesus, the story is different. Without Christ, suffering on earth has no hope, and death brings eternal separation from God in hell. This is why we need a Savior. Jesus being God in the flesh came to do what we could never do for ourselves—He gave His life to save ours.

It is through the blood in our veins that we have life. Blood represents life and so out of love, Jesus gave his blood to cover our sins through his death on the cross and rising from the dead three days later he conquered sin and death for us. He did this so that we could spend eternity with him. To form a relationship with our Creator and put his Spirit within us which seals us as his believers.

If you do not know Jesus, I invite you to place your faith in Him today.

I have a prayer for you to speak to God through. But simply praying a prayer isn't what saves you. It is a work that takes place in your heart and these words are the out pouring of the work that is being done in your heart. It is a proclamation for what the Spirit of God is doing on the inside. If you believe Jesus is who he says he is. If you believe God came down in the flesh to die for you so that you could be reconciled to him. If you are willing to give up your flesh and sinful desires to follow Jesus I invite you to pray this prayer.

Pray this prayer:

“Jesus, I acknowledge my need for you. I recognize that I am a sinner and that my sin is what separates me from you. I thank you for giving your life for mine. I thank you for your blood covering my sins. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead three days later. I believe you are who you say you are. I ask you to save me. Jesus, would you come into my life and be my savior. I want to follow You. Amen.”

If you prayed this prayer or want to know more, please reach out to me on Instagram @thesecretplace_Ministry or send me an email at testimony@thesecretplaceministry.com I’d love to support you and hear your story!

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Remember you are so loved, valued, and cherished!