Even in laughter the heart may ache, and rejoicing may end in grief. Proverbs 14:13
Who says the Bible is irrelevant? The fact is, it is filled with truth, from Genesis to Revelation, showing birth, life and death in a real context. The above verse is one of those uneasy truths, and somehow I know you will relate, but it is equally good to hold onto the verse: “He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3”. It’s not only in the Bible, the secular world knows this truth too, and is mirrored in the words of the old song:
Smile, though your heart is aching
Smile, even though it’s breaking
When there are clouds in the sky
you’ll get by If you smile through your fear and sorrow.
How do you know the smile of the heartbroken or sorrowful? You don’t. It’s as simple as that. I was reminded again today that the folks who can smile convincingly, are the very ones who carry the heaviest load. You might think they are just good actors, but I happen to believe they have a very keen sense of their own humanity and mortality. Not in a morbid sense, but in such a way that they see life more clearly, and that includes being thankful for all that God has given them in the here and now.
I would be the last person to wish ill health or heartache on anyone, but when you are close to Jesus, you believe that everything will work out in His plan. On a personal level I had a lot of difficulty with Romans 8:28, but that was because I was looking on as my loved one went through the growing stages of cancer, and yet I saw that same trusting spirit in another fine Christian lady today. Neither would think negatively because they trusted the verse completely, but mostly because they have full confidence in their Saviour. And that’s exactly what Jesus would do in whatever form it takes. Jesus would ‘save’, and He does, because He was and is a ‘Saviour’. So, when you are having a really hard time, and as difficult as it sounds, take this verse to heart. Romans 8:28 is still true and it works today: “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”
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Showing posts with label heal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label heal. Show all posts
Sunday, 14 October 2018
Saturday, 26 May 2018
Pain
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18 NIV
Pain is something we all suffer at some point in our life, and some folks carry a much heavier burden and weight of hurt than others. It can feel unfair at times, because we see bad things happen to good people, and health pain being suffered by folks who could well do without it. There seems to be a very unbalanced distribution of who gets a painful medical condition and if was up to us, we would choose differently. Physical pain is hard to bear and usually visible. Many times it just can’t be hidden.
However, I would suggest that even harder to bear is heart or emotional pain. It’s not so visible, but can still hurt deep down where it lies hidden from view, at least from prying, public gaze, and those nosey ones who would love to know what went on in your life to cause it. So, what emotional pains do you and I carry? Could it be the hurt of a lost first love? The loss of a spouse? Infidelity? Not speaking out in defence of a loved one when you should have, and it cost you dearly? Squandering or gambling money away that your family desperately needed? Speaking out of turn when you should have kept your mouth tight shut? Harming a child in some way, and still feeling the shame years later? The list goes on.
When we feel any kind of pain, it is certain that God is near. In the heat of the moment you may not feel that way, but this will be confirmed for you in a little while, and in the testimony of others who have recognised God’s presence and taken His help. After all, we have the assurance from our great God that because you are a Christian you will not avoid pain, but when God walks that painful path with us, it is much easier to handle. Why? Because “God is faithful.”
No testing has overtaken you except ordinary testing. But God is faithful. He will not allow you to be tested beyond your ability, but when he tests you, he will also bring about the outcome that you are able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 EHV
Pain is something we all suffer at some point in our life, and some folks carry a much heavier burden and weight of hurt than others. It can feel unfair at times, because we see bad things happen to good people, and health pain being suffered by folks who could well do without it. There seems to be a very unbalanced distribution of who gets a painful medical condition and if was up to us, we would choose differently. Physical pain is hard to bear and usually visible. Many times it just can’t be hidden.
However, I would suggest that even harder to bear is heart or emotional pain. It’s not so visible, but can still hurt deep down where it lies hidden from view, at least from prying, public gaze, and those nosey ones who would love to know what went on in your life to cause it. So, what emotional pains do you and I carry? Could it be the hurt of a lost first love? The loss of a spouse? Infidelity? Not speaking out in defence of a loved one when you should have, and it cost you dearly? Squandering or gambling money away that your family desperately needed? Speaking out of turn when you should have kept your mouth tight shut? Harming a child in some way, and still feeling the shame years later? The list goes on.
When we feel any kind of pain, it is certain that God is near. In the heat of the moment you may not feel that way, but this will be confirmed for you in a little while, and in the testimony of others who have recognised God’s presence and taken His help. After all, we have the assurance from our great God that because you are a Christian you will not avoid pain, but when God walks that painful path with us, it is much easier to handle. Why? Because “God is faithful.”
No testing has overtaken you except ordinary testing. But God is faithful. He will not allow you to be tested beyond your ability, but when he tests you, he will also bring about the outcome that you are able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 EHV
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