15 From my youth I have suffered and been close to death; I have borne your terrors and am in despair.
16 Your wrath has swept over me; your terrors have destroyed me. Psalm 88:15-16

As the sons of Korah conclude this psalm, we get the sense that they were in some very dark times. I’m not sure what was going on, and the context doesn’t really say but it’s safe to say that they were questioning everything about God.

All of us have been there. All of us understand the sentiment. Equally important is that God pulled all of us out of it. Were you a better person because of it? Were you bitter and discouraged while you were in the middle of it all? How about now when you’ve had time to reflect? What did you learn, if anything?

Suffering is such a personal topic. It’s very easy to “pontificate” about it sitting at a computer without a care in the world, but when you’re in the thick of it, it’s not easy! It’s downright difficult! Christ Himself said we would have many troubles in this world. And troubles are just that, troubles.

So, continue to grow in Christ as you consider these words. They are not meant as condemnation or as a means of saying “you’re not doing enough.” No, these are words of a friend in Christ encouraging you to stay strong in Christ no matter your circumstance.