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Faith and Love Amidst Suffering and Silence

by Fleming Island United Methodist Church
on Feb 20, 2024

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Faith and Love Amidst Suffering and Silence

Devotional

Day 1: Strength in Suffering

Suffering is an inevitable part of the human experience, and it often comes without warning, disrupting our lives and challenging our faith. It is in these moments of pain and confusion that one's true relationship with God is tested. The strength to endure such trials does not come from within but is a divine gift that is provided through God's love. This love does not remove the suffering but instead offers the resilience to grow through it. When faced with the darkest moments, a simple declaration of love for God becomes a profound testimony of faith, showcasing a trust that transcends understanding.

"Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue my ways to his face. This will be my salvation, that the godless shall not come before him." (Job 13:15-16 ESV)

Reflection: How can you express your love for God today in the midst of any suffering or challenges you are facing? [07:40]

Day 2: Intimacy Beyond Ability

When abilities are stripped away, and one is left feeling inadequate, it is an invitation to explore new depths of intimacy with God. This key takeaway emphasizes that the relationship with God is not based on one's capacity to serve or an understanding of His ways, but on a commitment to trust Him. In the silence and stillness that comes with loss, there is an opportunity to discover a more profound way to communicate with God, through the language of love and trust. This experience can teach that God values steadfast love and trust over abilities and understanding.

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV)

Reflection: What are some ways you can deepen your trust in God when you feel your abilities are limited? [07:40]

Day 3: Growth Through Theological Crisis

Suffering can lead to a crisis of faith, where one's preconceived notions of God are challenged. This is not a moment to shy away from but an opportunity for theological growth. It is a time to re-examine beliefs and deepen the understanding of God's nature and His purposes. Through this process, one can emerge with a more robust and refined faith, having wrestled with the hard questions and sought God's heart in the midst of trials.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV)

Reflection: In what ways has suffering or hardship prompted you to re-examine your beliefs and how has it deepened your understanding of God? [07:40]

Day 4: Prayer Beyond Words

Prayer is often associated with eloquence and verbosity, but in times of deep distress, the most profound prayers are those unspoken, where the heart communes with God in silence. This takeaway reminds us that prayer does not require words; it is the silent offering of one's heart to God, expressing love and trust without the need for explanation. In the depths of pain or confusion, this silent prayer is a powerful act of faith.

"Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words." (Romans 8:26 ESV)

Reflection: Can you take time today to sit in silence before God, offering your heart to Him without words? [07:40]

Day 5: Loving God in Pain

The true measure of spiritual maturity is often revealed in how one responds to the inexplicable events of life. Choosing to love God in the midst of pain and when His plans are inscrutable is a mark of spiritual depth and resilience. This takeaway encourages believers to hold fast to their love for God, even when the path is obscured by suffering, as a testament to their faith and trust in His sovereign will.

"Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation." (Habakkuk 3:17-18 ESV)

Reflection: What does choosing to love God look like for you today, especially in areas of your life where you are experiencing pain or confusion? [07:40]

Sermon Summary

In the journey of faith, we often encounter moments that challenge our understanding of God's plan for our lives. My own journey took a dramatic turn when I suffered an injury to my voice. As a pastor and worship leader, my voice was my primary tool for ministry. The injury left me with a mere hour of pain-free speaking each day, leading me to a profound professional crisis. I was confronted with the question: What does a pastor do when he cannot speak? What does a worship leader do when he cannot sing?

This physical affliction also precipitated a theological crisis. I grappled with the question of how such suffering could befall me when I had devoted my life to serving God with faith, obedience, and love. I had no theology to accommodate this kind of trial. It was a dark time, one in which I found no easy answers, and the only prayer I could muster was a simple yet profound declaration of my love for God, despite my lack of understanding.

Through this season of pain and confusion, I learned that expressing love for God in the midst of suffering is one of the most powerful acts of faith. It is a testament to the depth of our relationship with the Divine when we can say, "I love you," even when we do not understand His ways. This act of love is not a denial of pain or confusion; rather, it is an affirmation of trust in God's character and sovereignty.

In the silence that my injury imposed upon me, I discovered a deeper communion with God. Stripped of my ability to communicate with others through my voice, I found a more profound way to communicate with God through the language of love and trust. This experience taught me that our relationship with God is not contingent upon our abilities or even our understanding, but on our willingness to remain steadfast in love and trust, even when the path is obscured by suffering.

Now, let me share with you the

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What was the nature of the injury that the pastor suffered, and how did it impact his ministry? [00:53]
How did the pastor describe his prayer life during his time of suffering? [01:49]
According to the sermon, what is one of the most powerful acts of faith we can perform in the midst of suffering? [01:49]

Interpretation Questions

How does 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 relate to the pastor's experience of suffering and finding strength in weakness?
In what ways does Romans 8:28 provide comfort or challenge during times of personal crisis?
How might Psalm 34:18 offer reassurance to someone experiencing a theological crisis similar to the pastor's?

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you faced a personal or professional crisis. How did you respond, and what did you learn about your faith during that time?
The pastor mentioned that his prayer life was reduced to simply saying, "I love you" to God. Have you ever experienced a time when your prayers were similarly simple? How did that affect your relationship with God? [01:49]
How can you practice expressing love and trust in God even when you do not understand His ways? What specific steps can you take this week to deepen your trust in God's character and sovereignty?
The pastor found a deeper communion with God when he was stripped of his ability to communicate with others. Is there something in your life that you rely on too heavily that might be hindering your deeper communion with God? How can you address this?
Suffering can lead to a theological crisis but also to theological growth. Have you ever had to re-examine your beliefs due to a difficult experience? What did you learn about God and yourself through that process?
The pastor's story highlights the importance of steadfast love and trust in God during inexplicable events. How can you cultivate a resilient faith that remains strong even when faced with suffering or confusion?
Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you apply the lessons from the pastor's experience to your situation? What practical steps can you take to express your love and trust in God amidst this challenge?

Sermon Clips

"When this happened to me, it threw me into crisis in pretty much every Department Of My Life." [00:53] (Download | )

"I found myself in a theological crisis, God how can I be loving you, serving you, giving you my life, and take a hit like this?" [01:49] (Download | )

"I didn't have a theology for that, I found myself in the darkest place of my life, nobody had any answers." [01:49] (Download | )

"My prayer life was basically three words: I love you. I don't understand you, but I love you." [01:49] (Download | )

"In the darkest place of my life, I've discovered it's the most powerful thing you can do." [01:49] (Download | )

Today's guest is Bob Sori, a pastor from Kansas City with the most remarkable story.

Years ago, I suffered an injury to my voice. At the time, I was a pastor and a worship leader. Since that time, my strength is very small, and it's been painful for me to speak. I have about an hour a day that I can manage, and then the pain shuts me down.

So you can all do the math. When this happened to me, it threw me into crisis in pretty much every department of my life. It threw me into a professional crisis. What does a pastor do that can't talk? What does a worship leader do that can't sing?

I found myself in a theological crisis. God, how can I be loving you, serving you, giving you my life, giving you my best, walking in obedience, walking in faith and love, pouring my life out for the gospel, and take a hit like this? I didn't have a theology for that.

I found myself in the darkest place of my life. Nobody had any answers, and all I had was this. For five years or so, my prayer life was basically three words: "I love you, I don't understand you, but I love you." Over and over, just giving Him my love in the darkest place of my life.

I've discovered it's the most powerful thing you can do.