Young Adults' Group

Facing A Challenging Time

by Pastor Mark
September 09, 2021

A most difficult week

This past week has been challenging for Pastor Mitch, my family and I. Mom was hospitalised last week for pneumonia. Initially, we did not think that it was all that serious. But as time went on, Mom’s health took a turn for the worse. Over the last weekend, Mom experienced two episodes of hypotension, where her blood pressure dropped significantly…one on Saturday morning and the other on Sunday morning. Mom’s life hung in the balance and was slowly slipping away.

Mom finally passed away in her sleep peacefully on Tuesday night. While her passing saddened me, I was thankful to God that Mom did not have to suffer any more pain. Knowing that my mom is with the Lord in heaven brought tremendous comfort and encouragement.

Coping with challenges

Three truths helped me as I sought to cope with the difficulties and uncertainties of Mom’s situation.

 1. The will of God

One prayer that I made was, “Your will be done.” (Matt 6:10) It was a prayer that Pastor Charles sought to encourage us to make. It made me conscious of the Lord’s will and not my own will. If God’s will were for Mom to live longer, we would be thankful for His mercies. But as it turned out, it was God’s will for Mom to be received into His hands. The Lord had shown His mercies as Mom did not have to suffer any longer. I have learnt to submit to the Lord’s will in making this prayer. It is learning to trust in the Lord’s will.

2. The suffering of Jesus

It was tough watching my mom suffer in hospital. Due to her pneumonia, she had difficulty breathing and had to be given oxygen. It was challenging watching her struggle to take each breath. There were also many bruises on both of Mom’s arms. As she had weak veins, the nurses tried to attach the needle for the IV drip many times. It was heart-wrenching to see her in that state. Many tears were shed.

But through these difficulties, I learnt to cope as I remembered the sufferings of the Lord Jesus. I recalled what the Lord Jesus did, “For in that He himself has suffered, being tempted (or tested), He is able to aid those who are tempted.” (Heb 2:18) Thinking about how the Lord Jesus suffered so much pain as a man, He understood what my mom was going through. He was aiding my mom in her suffering. This truth brought much comfort to my heart, to know that the Lord understood Mom’s agony and supported her through her sufferings.

3. Love

Pastor was teaching us on Sunday about love that arose as a fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22). Supporting my mom these last nine months of her health problems was not easy. It took my natural love for Mom to do what I needed to do for her. But natural love can go so far and no more. I was learning to love as the Lord Jesus did. It filled my heart to produce love that goes beyond natural love. I was also encouraged by the love of the brethren, who have sought to encourage my brother and me. They brought encouragement by their love and actions so that we could continue to love as we should. Let us be challenged to learn to exercise faith in the Lord and all that He is to cope with life’s challenges.

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