In my last post I quoted scriptures on how creation reveals God and how the complexity that exists all around us makes it easy to believe in God’s existence. But, if a Christian ever tells you that life will be a bed of roses once you ask Jesus into your heart, they are probably a new Christian. They may have just experienced something miraculous and we would say they are “on fire” for the Lord.

I remember what that was like. Everything was possible and nothing was too hard for the Lord. Which is scriptural, by the way. Yet, look at the scripture from John. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. Jesus wasn’t blind or ignorant. He wasn’t deceitful or careless. He was honest and open, making sure we were prepared with the truth.

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.

John‬ ‭16:33‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

Those trials and sorrows take on many shapes and life can feel like a battle. For me it usually comes in the form of mental health and chronic pain issues. Some days it is my husbands pain or my misbehaving dogs. For you it may be something different, but that is where it is important to remember – we all live in this world together. Our experience is both unique and shared. God doesn’t remove us from this world when we believe, but we gain dual citizenship. We dwell simultaneously in the Kingdom of God and on Earth.

I’m going to be honest here, as I write this blog I find my train of thought wandering all over the place. There are so many scriptures that come to mind I am having trouble organizing them. Each one leads me in a slightly different direction. So I’ll try to limit myself and come to the point I originally wanted to make.

Life is hard and we are not excused from suffering because we are Christian. What we do have are promises and lots of them. Here are a few:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (ESV)

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (ESV)

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.

Revelation 21:4 (ESV)

If you find yourself in a hard place I pray you will know you are not alone, neither are you meant to be alone. I pray you will find God’s comfort and the comfort he brings through others who share your experience. I pray for your healing, your restoration, your forgiveness, your peace, and your provision. Most of all I pray for you to know God.

Grace & Peace,

Sandy

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