How to Forgive and Embrace the Suffering Jesus Endured
My meditations and prayers during this Holy Week focus on the incredible forgiveness of Jesus and the suffering He endured when He was crucified. During my infertility journey, learning to embrace Jesus’ actions contributed to my surrender to His control over my life.
Celebrating Easter next Sunday magnifies the supernatural ability of God to do the impossible:
- God came to earth as a human in Jesus Christ to demonstrate His love and service.
- Jesus modeled how to practice forgiveness, endure suffering, and obey God’s will.
- Jesus died on the cross for our sins.
- Jesus arose to heaven, where He hears our prayers and intercedes for us with God the Father.
- He forgives our sins.
- He heals our minds and bodies.
Through Jesus, God equips us to follow new possibilities—to practice forgiveness and endure suffering. Scripture says: Nothing is impossible with God. (Luke 1:37 ESV) Let’s chat about it.
The Path of Jesus is an Incredible Remedy to Your Journey
In the two meditations below, allow yourself to reflect upon Jesus’ teaching on practicing forgiveness and, through His example, learn perseverance through suffering. Consider taking time to listen to what He is telling you.
Forgiveness, No matter what
Holy Week Meditation #1:
“Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing.’” Luke 23:36 NIV
- Prepare to meditate: Slowly breathe in, saying “Jesus,” then slowly breathe out, saying “Peace” three times.
- Prayer: Lord Jesus, You were tortured, sneered at, and mocked by soldiers and critics as You faced the incredible sacrifice of dying for our sins. Despite Your circumstances, You showed love and forgiveness when You said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing.” Help me to embrace Your simple, powerful prayer as my response to any pain or humiliation I experience from others as I walk in this valley of infertility. Prompt me to pray for those who attack me. Draw them to You, Lord. When I pray, I want to replace my hurt and unforgiveness with a clean, pure heart. Melt and mold my character to be like Yours so that I may model a mother’s loving spirit. Amen
- Today’s direction: Ask God’s Holy Spirit to reveal any traces of unforgiveness in your mind. You can surrender these thoughts to Jesus in your prayers and ask Him to replace them with a heart of love.
Suffering Draws Us Close to Him
Holy Week Meditation #2:
Jesus, Your Scriptures remind us that as we experience suffering, You are walking alongside us:
“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you…rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed.”
1 Peter 4:12-13 NIV
- Prepare to meditate: Slowly breathe in, saying “Jesus,” then slowly breathe out, saying “Peace” three times.
- Prayer: Lord Jesus, as I read the gospel about Your suffering, I know You understand my anguish and humiliation. Some days, my heart aches. Experiencing infertility has brought me to a place of brokenness and helplessness. Yet, when I call to You in prayer and surrender my suffering, Your unfailing love wraps around me—it’s been an opportunity to prioritize You each day. You are the way, the truth, and the life. May Your great power and compassion be displayed by how You take authority over my husband’s and my fertility. I look forward to Your victory over this cross we bear. I share my trust in You with others. Amen.
- Today’s direction: Offer a daily prayer of quiet hope to Jesus. Even when your circumstances may seem dark, remember that Christ will empower you to have extraordinary faith and perseverance. Let Him take up your cross of infertility.
Forgiveness and suffering involve surrender to God’s will
By practicing forgiveness, Jesus taught us to turn the judgment of others over to Him, get rid of hate, and allow His love to be demonstrated. Suffering places us in the vulnerable position of having no control and prompts us to call to Him for His intercession. In both cases, we turn to Him to build godly character and surrender our circumstances to His authority. Out of love, He wants to carry us through pain and negative situations.
Next week, we will address how becoming ‘Easter people’ of faith and hope is the prescription for dealing with infertility. Until then, have a blessed Easter Sunday celebration!
Please share this post with someone who could benefit from it.
How can I pray for you? Email me at hello@infertilityprayerresource.com.
Peace be with you,
Kimberly
P.S. You won’t want to miss the following posts that will equip you for your journey:
- How Jesus Teaches Us to Conduct Ourselves in Dire Circumstances
- 4 Ways to Take Your Eyes off Yourself and Focus on God
- Why try Fasting for Spiritual Renewal and Guidance?
- What Wisdom Do Infertile Couples in the Bible Offer? Part 2
- What Wisdom Do Infertile Couples in the Bible Offer? Part 1