Hope In the Midst of Suffering

6 Replies

So slowly in the course of years
Though filled with joy, yet full of tears
The soul was peeled like onion’s skin
Sometimes all health was wearing thin

Through darkness and thick foggy clouds
The Surgeon’s scalpel exposed doubts
Which hindered her to trust in Him
And made her vision grow so dim

No human being loves the pain
But suffering is not in vain
When healing follows in the dawn
After the night through which she’s drawn

Into a morning, not yet known
Where seeds of life that have been sown
Through divine hands of Him who sees
The outcome of His planted trees

Will show their fruit which grown in dark
Begin to gleam and leave a spark
Inside her eyes that saw the One
Whose light shone brighter than the sun…

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (Rom 5:1-5 ESV)

6 thoughts on “Hope In the Midst of Suffering”

  1. wayne roper

    Excellent poem ! “The soul was peeled like onion’s skin” brought to mind the peeling of onions is also painful and sometimes brings tears to the one peeling (Heb 4:15 [a] For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; ) rom 12: 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. It’s Gods love that does the peeling. i was listening to a nurse telling a story about debriding (removing burned skin and scraping , or cleaning, on a daily basis to prevent infection and promote healing ) a very painful process, on a baby that had third degree burns.i was thinking how painful that would be for the baby and said that i could never do that and the nurse, telling the story , said you couldn’t do it because you don’t love the baby.Love does what’s necessary for life.( the cross )

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply ↓
    1. Susanne Schuberth (Germany) Post author

      Thanks so much, Wayne!

      Your story about debriding indeed nailed it, that is, describes exactly what God does in my heart at the moment (spiritually speaking) – day and night without ceasing.
      Sometimes it hurts like being cut by sharp knives, and then like being burned by hot fire. At times the pain is so extreme that I would love to run. But where should go? Only He has words of life, as Pat Orr recently said on my other blog (Entering the Promised Land).

      Thank you for commenting on my poetry blog as well, my brother. Much appreciated by your sister in Christ!

      Love,
      Susanne

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply ↓
  2. Michael

    Susanne,

    You wrote, “Into a morning, not yet known
    Where seeds of life that have been sown
    Through divine hands of Him who sees
    The outcome of His planted trees.”

    Years ago I kept going through this pealing away you spoke of here and I also felt like I was an onion. But then as I prayed about it He showed me I was a rose bud. His warming love was being used to open me up one pedal at at time until I would be fully opened so that the bee of His Spirit could get into my heart and pollinate me so I would bring holy seeds unto the Glory of the Father. I am in my latter years of life, now, and I am finally starting to see some fruit, but the “peeling back” still continues and I imagine it will until we are joined together in His eternal glory with the Father and the Son.

    Thanks for sharing your heart, dear sister. It is a lovely poem.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓
  3. Michael

    Yes, He does and He never says, “Well, that is good enough.” NOOOO He has only one goal in mind… the fulness of HIS own Son to be manifest in US! Jesus even had to learn perfect obedience to the Father by the things He suffered and so do we… I know it hurts and is so painful, dear friend. BUT it is worth it!!! Like it says in Hebrews, “Now no chastening for the present seems to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them who are trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:11 KJ2000). it is the “joy set before us that we can endure… the AFTERWARDS.. the deep heart change of being conformed into the image of Christ. that helps us endure…
    Love you in HIM,
    Michael

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓
    1. Susanne Schuberth (Germany) Post author

      Yes, Michael, we are in good, even in best company when we suffer like Christ did until our obedience has been perfected. I know it is worth it, my brother!

      Actually, the Scripture you mentioned was a confirmation from the Lord for me since our dear sister Brenda Tremblay encouraged me last week with the same verse.
      Thank God! 🙂

      Love you in HIM, too,
      Susanne

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply ↓

Leave a reply to Michael Cancel reply