– Genesis 35:18
Through The Fire
We all go through experiences in our lives that we would much rather not have to go through. Whether it is the death of a loved one, a terrible illness, heart-break, financial difficulties, family and/or relationship problems, etc., etc. No-one is exempt from the hard things in this life. Sometimes, things can get so miserable, and the weight of the pain, and the worry, and the turmoil in our lives can seem like they will never end, and the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel just seems like a cruel joke made up by those who have never had to go through what we are going through.
The truth of the matter is that our pain and misery, as awful and crushing as it may be, will always pale in comparison to someone else's – even if it's the same set of circumstances. In other words, the man who lost his family in a tragic car accident will suffer terrible loss and all that comes with it, but there is another man who has lost his family, one-at-a-time, due to a terrible disease, and has had to sit helplessly by and watch as each member slowly, and painfully draws their last breath. Which is worse? To the men going through it all, nothing can be worse than what they are enduring, but each man's story can be trumped by another story, and yet another, and yet another, each more tragic and more heart-wrenching than the one preceding.
But here is the good news . . . the suffering, the pain, the tragedy of anything and everything we have to go through in this life is temporary. And while that is little comfort to those in the midst of their chaos, the Comforter, the Restorer, the Eternal Life Himself is able to lift us out of the muck and the mire, and He is faithful to bring Joy out of even the most dire circumstances. All we have to do is call His name; all we need is to confess our reliance on Him; all that is required is for us to realize that Jesus is our Savior and that He has prepared a place for us where Love, and Peace, are eternally ours.
Jesus said, "I've told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I've conquered the world." (John 16:33-MSG). So you see, our lives are going to be painful. It's guaranteed, but you need to realize and understand that we were not created for this world. We were created for a much better life – an eternal life – a life spent really living, where death, and disease, and pain, and sorrow, and heartache are not even in the vocabulary. We need to trust in Jesus so that no matter what we face, our faith in Him will be unshakable, our place with Him will be assured, our lives will reflect a deep peace that will amaze everyone who can see the terrible things we are facing.
Is it easy to do? Not at all. I'm not saying that we shouldn't be affected by tragedy or that we shouldn't feel pain or sorrow or suffering. All I'm trying to get across is that when the pain has subsided, and the time for mourning has run its course, the Son of Good Fortune will be there to bring us back to life. Our testimony will be Grace. Our countenance will be Joy, and our Faith will be stronger than ever – Unshakable. So Take Heart! Jesus, our Savior, our Redeemer, our Champion has overcome this world, in fact, He has CONQUERED this world, and all the misery that it holds. He is our Truth, and He is our Strong God, and through Him, we will get through the fire and we will stand Victorious . . . and HE will be Glorified . . . now . . . and forever . . . AMEN!
Prayer
Father, thank You for reminding me that the sufferings of this world are temporary and that there will always be Joy and Good Fortune on the other side of even our most painful experiences. Nothing this world can throw at us is permanent, and You will bring Beauty from our ashes.
Thank You Lord!
Have a blessed day everyone!
– Richard
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