Sharing in Suffering/Hall

Hello all. A couple of weeks ago I shared some thoughts and lessons i've learned over the years about suffering. Annette and I have had many times of pain and intense moments. Many of these were coupled with uncertainty and potential loss of things we valued. Through it all, however, God faithfulness and reassuring comfort always brought through it. One way or another. Some know, as i shared, how we came to Colonial Heights on the heels of a church split. I had been a part of this church since it's inception and was one of the pastors there. Surprise! Many of you didn't know I was a pastor in another life. Anyway, I was and after 15 years and many relationships, the church split. We were the first to officially leave and many members didn't agree with us. Later they all left after seeing the impossibility of going on with a ministry that was flawed theologically, financially, and organizationally. It was devastating. A lot of the financial burden was shouldered by me for a long time.
It was excruiating for Annette and I and in the middle of that, my sister was shot and left for dead by her husband. There were endless long nights associated with that and many days of driving back and forth the Meridian MS to see her although she laid in a coma for nearly 4 months. In the midst of that our personal real estate business colapsed and left us in financial ruins. On top of that we found out we were pregnant with our third child, who was, let's just say "unexpected and unplanned." The word overwhelmed came to mind. The great hero "Job" came to mind. Chaos was all around. Many friends left our side during this time. Our faith was assaulted. How did we keep going? We recognized that 1. "the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away...." my response is to say "blessed be the name of the Lord." 2. After losing everything and seeing that you have nothing left but your family, you realize "that's all you need." They were and are the most important things/people to me. Everything else has to line up after their needs are met. 3. You embrace the challenge. James 1 says, "My brothren count it all joy when you fall into diverse temptations KNOWING THIS (what do you know Fred?) that the trying of your faith WORKS PATIENCE! then let patience have it's perfect work (don't rush the process of perfection in your life. it takes time to form you and mold you into the image of the Son) that you might be full, complete, WANTING/LACKING NOTHING" (no parts of me are missing if I allow the Spirit to complete his work in me.) I remember reading in Corinthians which says "...this light and momentary affliction is WORKING a greater weight in glory for you..." We had to keep reminding ourselves that its working. It hurts, but its working. I don't understand, but its working. I want to quit, but its working. I didn't agree to this, but its working. I'm mad at God but when I finally get my act together i'm going to see that's its working (for my good because I love the Lord and am called acccording to his purpose). Our hope was delayed know that one day, hopefully sooner than later, we'll say like Moses "I'm going to stand still and see the Salvation of the Lord..."
All that to say we're certainly qualified to speak on pain and suffering. But my lesson and my gift to all who read this is "let it have it's perfect work so that you may be full, complete, and lacking nothing." In the words of the old hymn "Nothing in my hands I bring but simply to the cross I cling..." You realize that anything I have or am is God and God alone.
Grace and Peace,
Fred Hall