Because we all live in a broken world, we all deal with hardship, struggle and pain. This is not unique to us nor are we somehow or for some reason singled out as God's target for correction when we experience difficulties and struggles. There is a bumper sticker that says "sh*t happens." Evidence that even the world gets it. This is a crude but accurate way of saying suffering is simply part of living in a fallen and broken world.
Not only is our world broken but we are broken; everyone of us... no exceptions. A primary result is we all long to be valued and loved. We are all in need of healing and restoration for not being valued and loved, no matter how well-off we may think or appear to be. And this is simply because we have Walked away from the source of Love and life, God himself.
Some may object saying they have never walked away from God. They just don't care. If anything they might say God has walked away from them. But God says he loves you. Have you explored this claim? He also claims to be the Creator and provider of all things. Do you acknowledge this claim? Have you explored it and whether it has merit. If not, you have in effect walked away from God.
If I Offer you a million dollars and you thumb your nose at me and never seek to determine whether my offer is real or not (when in fact it is), what would you call not exploring this offer? The issue isn't the actual offer (which in this illustration is real), it's your not believing the offer. Which means for you, it is not real.
The fact that we also think we are going through a unique hardship (and having a pity party as a result) only speaks of how self obsessed (and alone/separated/isolated) we truly are. Our relationship with God is severed resulting in all other things and relationships being broken.
Not only is our world broken but we are broken; everyone of us... no exceptions. A primary result is we all long to be valued and loved. We are all in need of healing and restoration for not being valued and loved, no matter how well-off we may think or appear to be. And this is simply because we have Walked away from the source of Love and life, God himself.
Some may object saying they have never walked away from God. They just don't care. If anything they might say God has walked away from them. But God says he loves you. Have you explored this claim? He also claims to be the Creator and provider of all things. Do you acknowledge this claim? Have you explored it and whether it has merit. If not, you have in effect walked away from God.
If I Offer you a million dollars and you thumb your nose at me and never seek to determine whether my offer is real or not (when in fact it is), what would you call not exploring this offer? The issue isn't the actual offer (which in this illustration is real), it's your not believing the offer. Which means for you, it is not real.
The fact that we also think we are going through a unique hardship (and having a pity party as a result) only speaks of how self obsessed (and alone/separated/isolated) we truly are. Our relationship with God is severed resulting in all other things and relationships being broken.
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At a very deep level we all long to connect with someone who loves us no strings attached so we seek this in others who can never truly and fully love us this way. We long to be loved at a level in which we don't have to be concerned about hiding our true broken selves but can be who we really are with another person, warts and all and still be fully accepted and loved.
The beauty of all of this is God himself stepped into our world of brokenness as a man and took on the ultimate pain and suffering of hatred, persecution, ridicule and rejection not to mention the full judgment of the rebellion of mankind (including our own) being poured out on Christ. This ultimately lead to his death (when he in fact deserved none of this) so that he could one day free us from all of these things.
He also did this knowing we could never love him with a love equal to the love he showed us. This is how great his love for us is and the promise and hope of all who trust Jesus.
The beauty of all of this is God himself stepped into our world of brokenness as a man and took on the ultimate pain and suffering of hatred, persecution, ridicule and rejection not to mention the full judgment of the rebellion of mankind (including our own) being poured out on Christ. This ultimately lead to his death (when he in fact deserved none of this) so that he could one day free us from all of these things.
He also did this knowing we could never love him with a love equal to the love he showed us. This is how great his love for us is and the promise and hope of all who trust Jesus.
Do you trust him?
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The realty is hardship and pain is not suppose to happen. Though it may be the common experience for all, it is an aberration.
The realty is hardship and pain is not suppose to happen. Though it may be the common experience for all, it is an aberration.
