Peace in Sufferings

Author:Ethan Soon

I was born into a Christian household and was exposed to many Christian beliefs and ideologies. As a young boy, I learned about God through the church and its people. I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior as a child. However, as a young boy, I did not understand the true significance of this acceptance. Growing up, my attention wandered, and I was directionless. I was simply living life as it went—I was mostly a lukewarm Christian. I did not take God seriously and did not live a spiritual life. The only times I thought of God was on Sundays.

When I became a teenager, I started to think more deeply about my life and my faith. Life was getting harder. It made me look toward God a little more. I was, however, still not completely dependent on him. At 18, I was miserable. I was studying something I didn’t like and was worried about the future of the path I was on. On top of that, I was far from God, and sin was comfortable. I prayed for months, and I finally dropped out. The following year was the hardest year of my life. It was filled with the greatest sufferings and hardships. I struggled with areas like family, friends, and mental health, among others. Life was extremely difficult, and I often wept to the Lord.

However, this trying season of my life also gave me the most peace. These sufferings had brought me closer to God. I began to seek his word and his favor, and to depend on him. Day by day, the Lord gave me sufficient grace and strength to push forward. Life has not become easier since then, but it was much more bearable because I started living with the strength of the Lord instead of my own. The understanding of Jesus and his sacrifice has brought me a peace that the world’s sufferings and hardships could not take away. I now live with gratitude to God. I saw improvements in all areas of my life. I was more disciplined and productive. My sleep, health, and fitness improved. I took sin more seriously and strived to live a more holy life.

I thank God for placing me in a Christian family and allowing me to come to the Lord at an early age. I now recognise that I am a sinner and that I need Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. It was the knowledge of salvation brought by his grace that has given me true peace. The burden and challenges of life have brought me closer to God and have reminded me to stand firm on his word. I also thank God for the godly people that have helped me get to where I am today. I cannot imagine life without God—how painful and miserable it would be. I thank God for peace and salvation.