Why Does It Hurt So Much?

I am a person who tries to see the goodness in life.  It seems to me that God's Church has spent a good number of years bemoaning life while not being able to live in the joy of the Lord.  I am reminded that when God created all things He called it "good"!  I really want to see what the Lord sees in that life is full of the things that come from a heart that beats, in its essence, goodness.  Do we remember that?

Over the last few days I have been reminded that though the lives we have been given by God are good, there is still struggle.  It's really not life that is the problem, it's sin that has twisted everything good and made it hard sometimes.  When we find ourselves in a place where life seems to be a bit on the darker side, or our hearts are breaking and longing for hope but seemingly finding none--it is there that we question the goodness of life.

There is a passage in 1 Peter that we need to read because it is an incredible reminder of not only the pain of life, but also the joy!  (1 Peter 1:3-9) "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.  In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.  These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.  Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls."

Here we get God's perspective on things:  there is suffering and trials for a short time, but with perspective we understand that as God's saved children we are filled with joy because we are in Jesus and are now experiencing the salvation of our souls.  Wow--kind of tough to understand, especially when we are in the midst of struggle.

For those of you who are in a dark time please remember what God says to you--He understands your pain.  If it's caused by sin you have committed, ask forgiveness and God will forgive you and bring refreshing for your soul.  If you are experiencing the pressures of living in a sin-filled world and the Enemy is putting pressure on you, remember this with all your might--God is with you and the risen Saviour Jesus Christ is your joy and strength.  If you can't really understand this, then ask the Lord to reveal to your heart what this means and He will give you the good gifts that come from the Good God.

Why does it hurt so much?  God tells us clearly that sin has broken everything--everything, that is, except what God is at work doing through His Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit.  Hurt is real, but so is the salvation of our God!

Father, for all who are struggling today, fill them with the truth of your Word, that joy is possible even in the midst of darkness.  We put our lives in your hands again. .. . .and again. .. . .and again.

BT