How Can I Endure Suffering Without Losing my Mind

I am starting to go back through Jeremiah/Lamentations. Meditated a lot on Lamentations 3 yesterday. It really is a source of strength and comfort. I think chapter 3 gives us the theological underpinnings to endure suffering/judgment from God. Our survival really begins when we take our eyes off of ourselves and our problems and anchor into the character of God. He truly is good. If he does not want to afflict me, then that means he intends this to be for my good- my ultimate happiness. When we immerse our minds with the character of God, we can then respond rightly to suffering.

“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:” (Lamentations 3)

      1.The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases his mercies never come to an end.  He believed that right after losing everything.

      2.The Lord is my portion. He had nothing else, but he had the Lord- and therefore had everything.

      3.The Lord is good for those who wait for him, even when circumstances appear to contradict this.

      4.The Lord will not cast off forever.

      5. He does not willingly afflict the children of men.

      6. God is sovereign. Good and bad come from him. (v.38) 

Right Responses to the judgment of God- to suffering (Lamentations 3)

1.        1 .Hope in him. (v. 24)

2.        2. Wait quietly for the salvation of God (v. 26)

3.        3. Submit to the suffering (v. 27-30)

4.        4. Test and examine our ways. (v. 40)

5.        5. Return to the Lord.

My responses do not come from looking at a list of right responses and trying to act that way. They come, and can only come, when I have a deep loving relationship with the One who has sent them my way. Only then can I rejoice through suffering, because I find my enjoyment in God.