James 5:13 instructs, “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray.” Rather than wallowing in self-pity when we suffer, we should immediately bring our pain to God in prayer. Just as the Psalmist cried out to God from “the belly of Sheol” (Ps 30:3), so God wants us to cast our cares on him in every affliction. Why do we shy away from prayer when we walk through the valley of troubles? Pride often compels us to rely on our own strength instead of calling upon the Lord. Yet Scripture promises God hears our cries and draws near to us when we humble ourselves before him (Ps 34:18, James 4:8). Our suffering exposes our deep need for God. Let us then approach the throne of grace in full assurance he will meet us there (Heb 4:16).
Questions: When suffering strikes, do I patiently endure in my own strength or earnestly plead for God’s mercy and grace? What obstacles of pride or unbelief do I need to surrender to the Lord today?
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