"finding God's Presence In Your Suffering."

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES

(1 Peter 4:12-13) [12] Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: [13] But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

(James 1:2-4) [2] My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; [3] Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. [4] But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

(Romans 8:28) [28] And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

PROLOGUE

I've noticed that many ministers enjoy preaching about how suffering can serve a purpose and elevate us to greater things, often focusing on the life of Job and his hardships. They love to preach on how Job endured immense suffering yet refused to blame God for his difficulties, stressing that despite losing everything, Job's unwavering faith led to divine restoration, giving him double blessings and lasting honor.

I agree with them that the story of Job is a testament to the power of faith and perseverance in turning trials into blessings. However, a further study on the life of Job will reveal how his friends were convinced that Job had brought these sufferings upon himself.

Speaking on the suffering of Job and how suffering can be a blessing, let’s dive deeper into the life of Joseph, a man whose journey is marked by profound suffering and remarkable transformation. His brothers, driven by jealousy and resentment, sold him into slavery, which could have shattered his spirit.

It was through these ongoing trials and tribulations that Joseph forged a path toward greatness, developing a unique spirit of wisdom, resilience, and unwavering faith. His ability to interpret dreams caught the attention of Pharaoh, leading to his eventual rise to a position of power as a trusted advisor.

Later, it was during a time of severe famine that Joseph's life began to take meaning. His wisdom and strategic planning not only saved Egypt from disaster but also provided sustenance to countless people, including his own family, who had once turned against him.

Both Job's and Joseph's stories demonstrate that, often, our troubles are designed to serve us, leading us toward our divine purpose. When God delivers us, we discover that He has the power to “turn the curse into a blessing. When we view our struggles and challenges from this perspective, we can see them not merely as challenges but as vital steps on our journey, preparing us for greater things to come.

“DISCOVERING GOD’S PRESENCE AND COMFORT IN PAIN.”

The Lord began to deal with me about this message in May 2025. He had just burdened my heart with the desire to return to the US on June 7, 2025, and I knew I had a strong desire to attend the Association of Christian Truckers' fall Jamboree, which was scheduled to take place on September 25, 2025. As a minister and a former truck driver, I have personally experienced the transformative power of God's presence in times of suffering.

The Lord began to put thoughts in my heart about the sufferings we sometimes endure that help prepare us for something greater. He also started to share insights about the sufferings of Job and how his friends, who should have supported him, became miserable comforters by suggesting that Job had, through some unknown sin, brought this suffering upon himself.

The Lord then prompted me to reflect on the 1980s, when I tried to end my life for the third time. The incident occurred near the ACT truck stop chapel, situated on the truck stop property in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. This experience, and the divine intervention that followed, taught me firsthand about the comfort and guidance that God provides in our darkest moments.

Someone intervened and pointed to the chapel, telling me I could find some help there. The moment I entered the chapel, a pretty redhead dressed in white Go-Go boots approached me as if she knew why I had entered. She and her husband Joe seemed to have the right words, as if they were speaking directly from God to my troubled soul. I started requesting more West Coast trips and made a point to stop in and visit these wonderful chaplains, whom God had used to touch my soul.

Thinking on these incredible experiences, the Lord began to burden my heart concerning the great need for driver chaplains to be there for drivers seeking answers, and for some, like me, maybe even looking for a reason to live.

My thoughts were that Driver chaplains play a crucial role in supporting individuals who have experienced trauma, and they must receive comprehensive training in this area.