In Times of Pain & Suffering . . . We Are

When going through trials, pain, suffering . . . who we are doesn't change. We are still in Christ. We are still His children, filled with His spirit, walking in the newness of life. This is our identity now, even in pain, hurt, and misery. The LORD promises these things to us, He speaks them over us, He fills us, loves us, chooses us, reassures us.

He IS still our Shepherd.
We are still His sheep.

Ephesians 1:3-14
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

We are blessed.
Chosen.
Loved.
Predestined.
Holy & blameless.
Redeemed.
Forgiven.
Lavished.
Rich.
Purposed.
Heirs.
Sealed.
Guaranteed.

Oh Father that you will fill Jenn's mind and aching heart with these truths now! That you would reassure her of your presence, You are her Good Shepherd, the God of all comfort. That you would fill her with your peace, that she would rest in the words you've spoken here. That she would know she is chosen, loved, redeemed, and sealed. Thank you. You are the Healer of our wounds and the healer of our hearts.