Sarah Joy shares her tips for caring for your soul in seasons of suffering.
Trial after trial and grief upon grief. I’m currently walking through a long season of suffering. Maybe you are too? Or you know someone who is?
During this season of suffering, there have been key rhythms that I have held to outside of my regular quiet time that allow me to rest in surrender and feed my weary soul.
Practices which anchor me to the Father, and which you can use to feed your soul when seasons of suffering come your way as they inevitably do.
Tip #1
For us, the most recent trial in a three-year season of great suffering has been my husband’s third primary cancer diagnosis in as many years.
When the first test came back pointing to cancer last spring, one of the questions I found myself asking was, “How are we going to do this, again?”
The memories of the first walk through two cancers at once were flooding back and I quickly remembered how overwhelming it had been.
After all, we weren’t really over it yet.
This time the diagnosis process was slower. Between tests or procedures, we waited several weeks for answers or the next round of tests. Altogether it took four months before the first treatment was started.
During the diagnosis period, we traveled just the two of us and then with our sons.
During our vacation, we tried to be present and not go down the rabbit hole of what-ifs that lie ahead. The Lord truly refreshed our bodies and souls as we spent time with no agenda, resting together and surrendering our fears.
When we met our sons in Colorado, we were ready for adventure and fun. But I also felt the Lord stirring my heart to surrender to rest and time alone with Him.
Everywhere I turned I saw the most glorious mountains and huge rocks. I was in such awe of the beauty in God’s creation and overwhelmed by His power that it didn’t make it hard to surrender to rest. I just wanted to sit and stare at the snow-capped mountains or by a creek listening to the water all day!
The only way we would get through what was ahead was by remaining in the shadow of the Almighty, completely surrendered.
On the last day we hiked Seven Falls. As we approached the trailhead, I heard the whisper of a very familiar scripture in my head, “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.” (Psalm 91:1-2 NLT)
The rocks towered above on both sides and several of them looked like they had been carved out. The voice repeating that scripture was a whisper but it resonated loudly in my soul as I looked at the rocks and mountains surrounding me. In those moments, this place was etched in my mind and heart. Little did I know that God was going to bring me back here over and over again.
I stayed in conversation with the Lord over those rocks that were now sealed in my heart with Psalm 91 as we hiked along the falls and up the mountain. The longer I meditated on that scripture the clearer it became. God was sharing a glimpse of the path ahead. He answered my question, “How will we do this, again?”
That night as I packed up to head back home, I shared with my husband what God had been showing me along our hike; that the road ahead was going to be hard but God wanted me to continually return to the secret place with him.
The only way we would get through what was ahead was by remaining in the shadow of the Almighty, completely surrendered. This didn’t scare me but comforted me, it made me want to be near the Father and receive his rest.
The months that followed were hard.
My husband had to live out of state for treatment for six weeks over the holiday season. I underwent a major surgery without him by my side. Our barely adult children had to carry a load that felt unbearable to ask of them, yet they did it with such grace and love.
The days have been long and lonely but God continually brought my mind back to that day hiking in Colorado. He continually whispered to my heart, asking me to surrender to Him in rest and trust.
I have been a woman who loves her daily and seasonal rhythms for a long time, but in this season those rhythms proved to be the anchors my soul desperately needed to stay hidden in the Rock.
4 Rhythms to Feed Your Soul In Seasons of Suffering:
1. Scripture Writing
This is a simple practice to get the word inside you. Take one scripture that is speaking to you and read it out loud, then write it by hand in a journal or on a note card, and then read it aloud again. You can use the same verse several days in a row or a different verse each day. Writing scripture by hand slows you down, helping you to relax and this practice gives you a go-to verse to meditate on throughout the day.
2. Worship
If you are in a season of suffering don’t stop worshiping. Suffering often creates a weariness in us and worship can meet that weariness to lead us into satisfaction and refreshment in the Lord.
Look at the example of David who cried out to the lord in Psalm 63:1(NLT)
“O God, you are my God;
I earnestly search for you.
My soul thirsts for you;
my whole body longs for you
in this parched and weary land
where there is no water.”
On the days when I feel like I can’t go another step or I don’t have the words to pray, I turn on a playlist and just lay in stillness letting the songs wash over me. Eventually, I realize I am singing along and my heart is surrendered in worship. Sometimes tears come and I can release built-up emotion. Other times, I just lay quietly and feel His peace comforting and building up my soul.
3. Keep Moving, But Take It Slow
Movement is so good for our bodies when we are in hard seasons. But, let’s face it, often we don’t have the energy.
It’s okay to pull back and listen to your body during times like this. Instead of a high-impact workout, consider taking a very slow walk without headphones to tune into creation or doing some gentle stretching to worship music. You have permission to listen to your body and give it what it needs.
4. Get Outside
Get outside every day. Your body will thank you for getting fresh air in the middle of stressful seasons of life.
Natural Vitamin D from the sun benefits your health in many ways including, better sleep, improved mood, and greater emotional well being. All of these benefits will help support you in the hard times.
But even more important than these health benefits is the joy of connecting to God through seeing and being in His creation.
Revelation 4:11 says, “You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.”
When my soul is weary, stepping outside and turning my gaze back on the Creator anchors me to Him.
My Prayer for You
Friend, I am sorry if you are reading this in a season of suffering. I want to remind you that you are not alone and God bends down to you and hears your cries. He is your shelter and the rock that you can hide in until the storm passes by you.
I encourage you to tend to your soul today. Try one of the rhythms above or re-engage with one that you know worked well for you in the past.
Then, let God’s Word meet you wherever you are right now:
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message)
Sarah Joy Smith is a Revelation Wellness Instructor from Platoon 25. She lives in Fort Worth, TX with her husband of twenty-five years and their three sons. She is passionate about mentoring women and helping them understand who they are in Christ. She is the Founder of JoyFully Fit + Free and Co-Creator of the Holy & Whole Women’s Conference which seeks to help women break free from diet culture and reclaim their identity in Christ.
