Hurt But Still Whole
BRD REFLECTION 2026
Matthew 20:17-28 and Psalm 69:29-36 (NIV)
(Celine Sia from Small Group Ministry)
READ:
Matthew 20:17-22 and Psalm 69:29-36 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
In Matthew, Jesus shares with the twelve disciples that He is going to be betrayed and crucified, and in the midst of this devastating news, the mother of James and John asks Jesus to honour her sons. Jesus asks whether they can drink the bitter cup of suffering that He is going to drink.
In the Psalm, David is in deep distress but is still able to praise God and declare his trust in Him for a good outcome, even though none of it has happened yet. God shows me that when I am undergoing suffering, I can still be filled with praise and trust in Him.
APPLY:
The question I wrestle with in this season is whether I can struggle through a painful situation and still feel whole and praise God. When my cup is not filled with comfort, status, and identity from the world, can I still be joyful and focus on what God is calling me to do according to His will and purpose, instead of focusing on my challenges? Can I trust in His goodness for the outcome, just as David confidently did in the Psalm, even when he was suffering and in pain?
DO:
I will focus on my relationship with God, trying to truly forsake all other desires, for I know that the joy of the Lord is my strength. I know that who I am will show up in the ministry work I do, and I want to be whole in the Lord no matter what season I am in.
PRAY:
Help me, Holy Spirit, to draw ever nearer to God, so that I may truly know You, O Lord. You are worthy of all my praise, honour, and worship, no matter what is happening around me. I pray that I will ground my identity in You and not in the comforts and statuses of this world. I want to serve You, Lord, in wholeness. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
