I thought I was done with learning about “light” but here we are.
I’m still learning to embrace suffering in all its forms.
My instinct during difficulty is to try and figure out the cause so that I can fix it and prevent a recurrence. But, the life of a Christian is guaranteed to have suffering. Like Christ did, we who follow Him are called to endure suffering and not shy away or try to prevent it.
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
1 Peter 4:12-13
It is in that suffering that we learn to depend on His strength and call on Him for deliverance, and we glorify Him in doing that. We show the watching world how we can do hard things because of our God. We show them that He is the Source of our joy in every circumstance.
It is also in that suffering that we learn and grow. It is where our faith is tested, refined, and renewed.
I thank God that He is Sovereign over my rejoicing and my lamenting. Whether I’m in the valley or on the mountaintop, in the mundane everyday or the extraordinary, He is too there and working out goodness.
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
This hope makes us victorious through Christ! It means that we don’t have to try to escape the hardship but face it with steadfastness and courage, rooted in His love, and keeping in step with His Spirit.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Romans 15:13
Process and products used:
This page in my Illustrating Bible by DaySpring features the following products by Creative Worship Stamps. These are affiliate links, please see the Privacy Policy for details.
- God is Already There Stamp Set
- Hummingbird Wishes Stamp Set
- Hummingbird Wishes Die Set
- Vintage Ledger Page stamp
- Jumbled Diamonds Stencil
- Skinny Caps Alpha stamp set
I started with the Hummingbird Wishes stamp for the flower and the hummingbird. I stamped the images onto mixed media paper and cut them out using the coordinating die set. Then, I coloured them using watercolour paint and added some white ink splatters after they dried.
For the background, I used the Jumbled Diamonds stencil with green, blue, and yellow inks and a blending brush. I initially rotated the stencil a bit and some of the diamonds turned out like squares. So, I corrected that and applied yellow ink over the entire area, and I like the varied and layered effect. I then added some yellow paint splatters to add to the illusion of fractured light. This stencil is fast becoming a favourite for this effect!
I stamped the flower in black ink then placed the coloured die-cuts over that to create layered look. Then, I stamped the title using the Skinny Caps Alpha. I used the Vintage Ledger Page stamp for a journaling spot and included a stamp from the God is Already There set. Then, I finished the page with a short prayer of gratitude and highlighted the text.
Be encouraged
🎶 I See a Light ~ We Are Messengers
“When the night comes, hope is still bright. And tears may fall in the evening but joy comes with the light” – I love the lyrics of this song!
I was having a difficult week with low energy, low mood, poor sleep, and several other challenges. I still don’t quite know what caused this. The word perimenopause keeps popping us. We’re also in the middle of a heat wave. Maybe I was dehydrated or my body was stressed. In any case, I continued life as normal – seeking God in prayer, studying His word, following His leading, and this song was an encouraging reminder to reach for the joy.
There were several others in my sphere who were having a similar week and I was able to encourage them with what God was teaching me in mine. These moments are so encouraging because I get to see how He’s faithfully working and using suffering for the good of many. If He didn’t grant me this glimpse, it is enough to know that scripture says that is what He does.
And so, I encourage you – lean into suffering, friend! We can endure all things while focused on the joy before us, to His glory.
