For many years, I thought about sharing the story God has written for me. I wasn’t sure how until a couple of weeks after my mom’s death. After seriously considering blogging for a few days, I approached the Lord in prayer about the idea. If I was going to write, it would be for His glory and His purposes. Writing wasn’t a new concept or idea to me, as I’ve been an avid journaler for almost two decades. I questioned whether or not I had anything to contribute to the vast sea of voices already flooding the internet. As I read and reflected, the idea became clear that I should share about suffering. Hence, The Suffering Sojourner was born!
A crazy idea!
I’ll be honest, it seemed a little crazy, even to me, to have a blog on suffering. I wrote in my prayer journal, “Who wants to read about suffering?” Was there even an audience for such a topic? Even in my hesitancy, I wanted to submit to what God might do through passion, training, and personal experience. I told the Lord He must show me how to move forward. I knew if this was what He wanted, He would guide me.
Naming the blog became the next hurdle. Almost immediately, the name, The Suffering Sojourner, came to mind. I was skeptical the name wasn’t already taken, but providentially, it wasn’t. It captured beautifully what I’ve witnessed and wanted to communicate. First, the name communicated a need to understand that we, as believers, are sojourners on this earth. Second, it conveyed that we will experience suffering in this life. As such, the way we encounter and endure suffering should reflect the beauty of our transformed lives in Christ.
Why a fitting name?
The Suffering Sojourner is birthed from collective experiences walking alongside those who suffer and experiencing my own suffering. It spawns from a passion and desire for the Church to cultivate an understanding of suffering rooted in scripture. Although we may suffer in this life, being a sufferer is not our main identity.
Our true identity always lies first as a disciple of Christ, a child of God, a co-heir with Christ, a saint. Ephesians 2:19-20 tells us, “So then you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God’s household” with “Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone.” If we are citizens with the saints and members of God’s household, then we know our citizenship is not ultimately bound to this earth. Our citizenship is within God’s kingdom, a kingdom “not of this world” (John 18:36). Therefore, as citizens of God’s kingdom, we are sojourners in this world and on earth. Rooted in Christ, we must remember that our perspective on suffering should remain eternal. Ultimately, we must look to Jesus, who suffered with an eternal perspective in mind so that we might become a part of God’s kingdom.
What is the Suffering Sojourner?
The Suffering Sojourner is a place to encourage others during suffering. It’s a reminder of God’s goodness and faithfulness to others and myself. Just as journaling has been a way for me to look back, remember, and continue to trust in the Lord, I hope The Suffering Sojourner encourages many to continue persevering in the faith, always returning to Jesus as the brightest light in the darkness. The Suffering Sojourner is a reminder that we are not alone in our sufferings, knowing that other sojourners endure suffering too. Cultivated from a love of God’s word, it looks to biblical truth as the preeminent source of understanding God’s heart. The Suffering Sojourner reminds us that the ultimate hope and truest source of joy is Jesus through His work on the cross by the power of the Holy Spirit.
So welcome, fellow sojourner! Drop me a line or a hello on my contact page or learn more about me, the sojourner behind the blog! I’m so glad you’re here!