Why? Why does life have to be so complicated? Why do I have to face this trial during this season or stage of my life? God, where are you? God, why are you allowing this to happen? God, if you’re as powerful as they say, why not just take this away? Does God have any clue about what I’m going through or understand even remotely how I’m feeling about my life right now? God, do you care?
Sound familiar? We have all asked these questions, haven’t we? Life is messy. Life is complicated. And yes, life can be painful at times. How interested do you feel God is in our comfort? How important do you think our happiness is to God? How does God define happiness? Is God obligated to see to it that we’re happy? Is there a purpose for suffering or walking through this present dark season of the soul?
We don’t like these questions because questions like these are birthed in times of struggle, hardship, and pain. I have walked through seasons of my life asking all of the above and more. On more than one occasion, I have asked God to take away the storm. Eventually the storm passes through, but what impact does the storm leave behind? Perhaps that question is one to wrestle through.
_________________________________
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever
you face trials of many kinds, because you
know that the testing of your faith develops
perseverance. Perseverance must finish its
work so that you may be mature and complete,
not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4, NIV)
Sound familiar? We have all asked these questions, haven’t we? Life is messy. Life is complicated. And yes, life can be painful at times. How interested do you feel God is in our comfort? How important do you think our happiness is to God? How does God define happiness? Is God obligated to see to it that we’re happy? Is there a purpose for suffering or walking through this present dark season of the soul?
We don’t like these questions because questions like these are birthed in times of struggle, hardship, and pain. I have walked through seasons of my life asking all of the above and more. On more than one occasion, I have asked God to take away the storm. Eventually the storm passes through, but what impact does the storm leave behind? Perhaps that question is one to wrestle through.
_________________________________
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever
you face trials of many kinds, because you
know that the testing of your faith develops
perseverance. Perseverance must finish its
work so that you may be mature and complete,
not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4, NIV)
__________________________________
Storms are a part of our lives. I heard it said that “we’re either coming out of a storm, in the midst of a storm, or heading for a storm!” Comforting, isn’t it?
I take much comfort and have learned so much about suffering through the life and ministry of the Apostle Paul. Paul’s suffering included a very long list: prison, flogging, close to death time and time again, five times receiving thirty-nine lashes, three times beaten with rods, stoning, three times being shipwrecked, a night and day in the open sea, constantly on the move, going without sleep, feeling hunger and thirst, cold and naked…the list goes on and can be found in 2 Cor. 11. Yet in all of these things, the Apostle Paul could say with confidence:
___________________________________
“And we know that in all things God works for
the good of those who love him, who have been
called according to his purpose.” (Rom. 8:28, NIV)
___________________________________
Are you in the middle of hardship? Are you wondering where God is in the midst of your storm? Hear the good news…you’re not alone for He is with you! God has not forsaken you! In the midst of our most difficult trials and deepest hurts in life, God is working and doing a good work in us. Perhaps maturity and becoming complete in Him is more important than simple happiness and comfort. His ways are perfect and His plans and purposes are for good.
___________________________________
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the
Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you a hope and a future.” (Jer. 29:11, NIV)
___________________________________
I have come to learn that there is beauty in brokenness. I don’t enjoy the trials of life any more than you do, but I am confident that God is working and present in the midst of all of the broken areas of my life. My life has been wonderful, but not perfect by a long shot. I have regrets. I have wounds. I have scars. I once was afraid to come to terms with these things and held them so close. I was too fearful to expose them for all to see. I now see that God’s grace is sufficient and that my strength is made perfect in weakness. It’s not just about me!
In some way, we’re all broken, aren’t we?
What has broken you? What’s your story? Who have you shared it with? Are you afraid to tell others? Have you allowed God to use your brokenness to comfort others? I dare you to tell your story, to allow God’s glorious light to shine through the darkness and cracks!
_______________________________________
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all
comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that
we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort
we ourselves have received from God.” (2 Cor. 1:3-4, NIV)
___________________________________
“And we know that in all things God works for
the good of those who love him, who have been
called according to his purpose.” (Rom. 8:28, NIV)
___________________________________
Are you in the middle of hardship? Are you wondering where God is in the midst of your storm? Hear the good news…you’re not alone for He is with you! God has not forsaken you! In the midst of our most difficult trials and deepest hurts in life, God is working and doing a good work in us. Perhaps maturity and becoming complete in Him is more important than simple happiness and comfort. His ways are perfect and His plans and purposes are for good.
___________________________________
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the
Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you a hope and a future.” (Jer. 29:11, NIV)
___________________________________
I have come to learn that there is beauty in brokenness. I don’t enjoy the trials of life any more than you do, but I am confident that God is working and present in the midst of all of the broken areas of my life. My life has been wonderful, but not perfect by a long shot. I have regrets. I have wounds. I have scars. I once was afraid to come to terms with these things and held them so close. I was too fearful to expose them for all to see. I now see that God’s grace is sufficient and that my strength is made perfect in weakness. It’s not just about me!
In some way, we’re all broken, aren’t we?
What has broken you? What’s your story? Who have you shared it with? Are you afraid to tell others? Have you allowed God to use your brokenness to comfort others? I dare you to tell your story, to allow God’s glorious light to shine through the darkness and cracks!
_______________________________________
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all
comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that
we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort
we ourselves have received from God.” (2 Cor. 1:3-4, NIV)
