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Not Alone in Suffering
Basilea Schlink
Basilea Schlink (1904 - 2001). German religious leader, writer, and co-founder of the Evangelical Sisterhood of Mary, born Klara Schlink in Darmstadt to a professor of mechanics. Raised Lutheran, she studied at Fröbelseminar in Kassel (1923) and Berlin’s Inner Mission girls’ school (1924), later earning a doctorate in psychology from Hamburg University in 1934 with a thesis on adolescent faith struggles. From 1933 to 1935, she led the Women’s Division of the German Student Christian Movement, resisting Nazi exclusion of Jewish Christians. In 1947, with Erika Madauss, she founded the Sisterhood in Darmstadt, taking the name Mother Basilea, growing it to 209 sisters across 11 global branches by 2001. Schlink authored over 60 books, including My All for Him, translated into 60 languages, and published tracts in 90. Her radio programs aired in 23 languages, emphasizing repentance and reconciliation, especially between Germans and Jews. Unmarried, she dedicated her life to prayer and ministry, shaping interdenominational Christian communities.
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In this video, Basilia Schlink shares her testimony of how she found comfort and joy in her suffering. She was seriously ill and separated from her loved ones for a long time. However, she discovered that she was not alone because Jesus was with her. She found strength and renewed faith in the reminder of Jesus' suffering and love for her. Basilia encourages others to accept their suffering and trust in God's will, as it can bring them closer to Him and be a channel of blessing to others.
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God lives and works today, but perhaps you don't feel that way because you are sick or suffering. Would you like to discover how your suffering can actually bring you closer to God? Yes, even make you happy and joyful. Today's meditation is a testimony from the life of Bessalia Schlink, which shares how she made this exciting discovery. She writes about a time when she was seriously ill but not alone in suffering. She writes, I was separated from my loved ones for a long time owing to my illness. Even while I was at home, I seldom saw them because the doctor had ordered complete rest and few visitors. When I was taken to the hospital, I lay almost completely alone for several months. But now I will tell you a secret. I was not really alone. One day a nurse brought me a cross and hung it on the wall opposite my bed. It was a great help in reminding me of the sufferings of our Lord Jesus. He, who is love, suffered endless pain beneath his crown of thorns because he loves me. So I was strengthened and my faith renewed. Jesus is with me. He loves me more than anyone else could. He has suffered and wept for me more than anyone else has, and today he still suffers with me, for he is the living Lord. I could talk to him at any time and could tell him what was in my heart. Yes, I could bring him all my needs and the questions that troubled me. He understands them and answers them better than any person. Yes, I looked to him who bears God's image, Jesus. He is entirely merciful and humble. He is peace. As I looked to him, I experienced the truth of Psalm 34, verse 5. Look to him and be radiant, so your faith shall never be ashamed. A deep peace entered my heart and I was deeply comforted. So my illness and all its misery was changed into a time of blessing full of peace and joy in him. If your illness is keeping you from all work and activity, then the time has come for God to work in you and create new things. When you are unable to do anything, God is able to do great things in you. Also, he will use this time of illness to bring you closer to himself if you will let him. Therefore, accept your suffering. Say, Yes, Father, thy will be done, and he will do great things in you now, and later you will become a channel of his blessing to others. I praise the blessing, their words confessing The paths of pain and darkest night God's will is goodness and lovingkindness So good the ways by which he leads Praise the suffering, seeing us transforming For everlasting life with Christ God Bless You
Not Alone in Suffering
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Basilea Schlink (1904 - 2001). German religious leader, writer, and co-founder of the Evangelical Sisterhood of Mary, born Klara Schlink in Darmstadt to a professor of mechanics. Raised Lutheran, she studied at Fröbelseminar in Kassel (1923) and Berlin’s Inner Mission girls’ school (1924), later earning a doctorate in psychology from Hamburg University in 1934 with a thesis on adolescent faith struggles. From 1933 to 1935, she led the Women’s Division of the German Student Christian Movement, resisting Nazi exclusion of Jewish Christians. In 1947, with Erika Madauss, she founded the Sisterhood in Darmstadt, taking the name Mother Basilea, growing it to 209 sisters across 11 global branches by 2001. Schlink authored over 60 books, including My All for Him, translated into 60 languages, and published tracts in 90. Her radio programs aired in 23 languages, emphasizing repentance and reconciliation, especially between Germans and Jews. Unmarried, she dedicated her life to prayer and ministry, shaping interdenominational Christian communities.