Praise in the Midst of Suffering

Praising God when life goes right is easy. Praising God when the deck seems stacked against you is hard.

My best friend in the whole wide world is sick. Life and death sick. She's in the middle of a long, hard battle with lymphoma. After 3 of 6 treatments, we learned that the treatments aren't working. What does this mean for her? It means a lot more of hurry up and wait. More tests, more treatment options, new doctors. Next week.

For now, as tears flow, there is nothing else for me to do but trust. Pray. Have faith. Praise, maybe? Praise God for the blessing she is to me and so many. Praise God for the things we learn when adversity strikes. Praise God for the health of those who are well. Praise God that, even in the middle of this horrible, sucky, devastating thing, she is still here. She is still touching lives. She is still trusting. So I will, too.

Narrative Lectionary Text: Psalm 3

O Lord, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me;

many are saying to me, “There is no help for you in God.” Selah

But you, O Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head.

I cry aloud to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy hill. Selah

I lie down and sleep; I wake again, for the Lord sustains me.

I am not afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around.

Rise up, O Lord! Deliver me, O my God! For you strike all my enemies on the cheek; you break the teeth of the wicked.

Deliverance belongs to the Lord; may your blessing be on your people! Selah