Stepping Stones: God I'm Suffering, Are You There?

Transformational Tip
Why do people suffer? Why does God let suffering happen? These questions deserve long answers, but the simple answer is that we live in a fallen world. Our first parents, Adam and Eve, their choice to ignore God's instruction left them and all their descendants exposed to the harsh elements of this fallen world; death, deterioration, disease, depression, weakness, loneliness, old age...and all the rest of the long list of human ills that have plagued mankind since the beginning of time. That's why we are in such a mess today. God didn't do anything to us - we left him.
But we are not alone in our suffering. While God many times chooses not to remove our suffering, his word tells us that he promises to be with us through every step of our suffering. Remember that Jesus prayed to his Father the night before his death...asking him to "let this cup pass." God did not stop the brutal death of his son, but he did send an angel to be with and pray with Jesus.
When we are in the heaviest rain of the storms of our life we forget to ask for God's help, or we forget to reach out to the people that God has sent our way during the darkest days.
When you are in the midst of suffering, say this simple prayer: "God, please be with me and get me through this suffering." God always provides exactly what you need to endure the suffering. He may not tell you why you are suffering (sometimes that comes much later), but He will certainly be by your side every step of the way, and then use that suffering to grow you toward Christ-likeness.

Prayer
Dear Father,
I am suffering today Lord, the burdens I bear are almost too much for me to handle...I feel I am at my breaking point. Lord, please be with me...please help me through this suffering.
There is so much suffering in this world; why? Those who do not believe...and who do not want me to believe often use the world's suffering as an example of Your non-existence. I need Your help, Your help Lord to rebut their negativity; give me the wisdom and the words when Your detractors attack. Help me be steadfast in trusting Your promises of being my Lighthouse of guidance and sanctuary during these storms of my life. In the name of my Suffering Savior, Jesus - AMEN!

The Truth
But now, this is what the LORD says- he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
Isaiah 43:1-2
Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."
Matthew 26:39
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
1 Corinthians 10:13
And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die."
Genesis 2:16-17