Suffering is the reality of the world we live in. It seems that everywhere we look, we find more and more people truly living under suffering - millions through poverty, millions through slavery, millions through sickness and diseases and yet the beauty of Jesus is that He always brings hope, wherever we are, in whatever circumstance. Yes, His name is higher than all pain and suffering.

My heart breaks for the people who are under persecution, for those who are in abusive relationships, for children who are growing up without loving parents to guide them and instill in them an assurance of being loved, and for those who are suffering a lot on their pains due to their health problems. There are those who conspire to tear down our sense of worth and potential. They would have us live with a spirit of fear, intimidation, depression, and oppression. 

But the greatest burden we have to carry in life is self. The most difficult thing we have to manage is self. In laying off our burdens, therefore, the first one we must get rid of is ourself. We must hand ourself and all our inward experiences, all that concerns us, whether inward or outward all over into the care and keeping of our God, and leave them there. He made us, and therefore He understands us and knows how to manage us, and we must trust Him to do it... 

It is easy to trust God when things are going well. David urges, ‘Trust in, lean on, rely on, and have confidence in him at all times. Trusting in God at all times means trusting him not only when things are going well, but also when things are not going so well. We develop character by trusting him when we are facing difficulties in our lives.To understand God’s sovereignty is to completely trust Him. God’s there for us and knows what’s best for us. We just have to trust Him. That’s why within these seasons worshiping God in every season is very important because it is critical to remember the finished work of the cross when evil tries to press in on every side. “Our most profound and intimate experiences of worship will likely be in our darkest days— when our heart is broken, when we feel abandoned, when we’re out of options, when the pain is great, when we have health problems and then we turn to God alone.” 

Whatever situation we find yourself in, know this: God is present. Worship Him—recognizing and acknowledging His greatness— even in moments of great pain, and we will discover His grace and power is sufficient: “In different times I begged the Lord to take it away. However, God knows how to comfort us. We are not walking through this alone, He is at our side. And each time HE said, ‘My grace is all we need. My power works best in weakness’. We are weak but our God is strong. We don't have all but we have HIM. Though we are tired but know that HE's not tired of loving us and that's enough for us to face each day because we're just someone imperfect but loved by a Perfect God. 

If we are walking through the valley of the shadow of death, all I can say to us today is hang on. The psalmist makes a statement that says, “Though darkness is all around, I will fear no evil” (see Psalm 23:4).

God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. ( Matthew 5:4 ) 

“He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭46:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his nameʼs sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” ‭Psalm‬ ‭23:1-6‬ ‭