I was talking with a friend recently who’s going through a difficult time. And then, this week during my morning time, I read this verse and found the words to be able to share hope with her.

He does not ignore the cries of those who suffer. He does not ignore the cries of those who suffer.

Psalm 9:12 NLT

It is such an incredible relief to know that God doesn’t ignore the cries of those who suffer. God hears our cries and won’t ignore us when we are suffering.

Suffering brings about two responses in people.

1. Doubt

When we are pushed to our limits, many of us choose to doubt. We go from believing God to doubting Him and turning away from him. Our belief in his goodness and faithfulness turns to no longer trusting Him and questioning His goodness. Our belief becomes unbelief. The things we always held to no longer work for us.

We find ourselves on a path away from God for a time. That time may be for just a few days or a few weeks. But if we’re not careful, that could turn into months and even years. And then one day, we wake up and find ourselves so far away from God and church and anything to do with Christianity and we wonder how in the world we got there. It all started with doubt when we found ourselves in a time of testing or suffering.

2. Trust

The second response takes a lot more faith, and that is to trust. When the suffering comes, we choose to trust God. We trust in His goodness and refuse to believe He’s not who He said He is. We choose to let our belief in Him grow deeper, and we grow in our relationship with God during that time.

This trust leads to stronger belief and a surety of our faith in God. It’s the roots that grow deep like Paul talks about in Colossians.

And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

Colossians 2:6,7 NLT

Time of Suffering

Do you find yourself in a place of suffering today? Are you in pain, and you don’t know what to do or if you can make it through? Let these words from the Psalms encourage your heart. God does hear you; He doesn’t ignore your suffering. That can bring us immense comfort.

If you find yourself in a place of suffering, ask God for the faith to endure and to keep believing. Keep believing that God is good, that He is who He says He is. Remember His faithfulness.

I will never forget this awful time,
    as I grieve over my loss.
Yet I still dare to hope
    when I remember this:

The faithful love of the Lord never ends!^[b]
    His mercies never cease.
Great is his faithfulness;
    his mercies begin afresh each morning.

Lamentations 3:20-23

More Encouragement

For more encouragement, check out my book, The Hidden Pain: When You Fear God is No Longer Blessing Your Life, or check out my post, Don’t Run When the Pruning Starts.