Pain, suffering & heartache will be part of the
rhythms of life for every follower of Christ. Jesus prepares us for this in
John 16:1...
“I have told you these things so that you will not stumble or be caught off guard and fall away.” (John 16:1 AMP)
I should not be surprised when life is difficult - when
my expectations of God as a cosmic concierge are thwarted.
True religion is not about a smooth stroll through life.
Jesus is not a steamroller crushing the sharp-edged obstacles in our way.
“Life is pain, Highness! Anyone who says otherwise is selling something.” (The Princess Bride)
The answer to a broken world is not a heavenly fixer...
it is an Advocate who brings peace that transcends circumstances.
“Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]” (John 14:27 AMP)
And that peace doesn’t come like a weighted blanket or a
cup of cocoa (with little marshmallows). It floods in as the Holy Spirit enters
into our lives.
“When he comes, he will convince the world of the meaning of sin, of true goodness and of judgment. He will expose their sin because they do not believe in me; he will reveal true goodness...” (John 16:5 PHILLIPS)
My prayer:
Jesus, dwell in me... rather than letting me choose to dwell in a Christian bubble. Remind me over & over about my need for you... as if I were a distracted child - because, if I'm honest, I am a distracted child. Calm my heart with Your presence; help me to stop relying on perfect circumstances to experience peace. Call to mind the truth that permeates Scripture - that the love of God does not equal a life of ease. Give me a heart that beats with the truth... a heart that longs for more of You rather than just "more".
Jesus, dwell in me... rather than letting me choose to dwell in a Christian bubble. Remind me over & over about my need for you... as if I were a distracted child - because, if I'm honest, I am a distracted child. Calm my heart with Your presence; help me to stop relying on perfect circumstances to experience peace. Call to mind the truth that permeates Scripture - that the love of God does not equal a life of ease. Give me a heart that beats with the truth... a heart that longs for more of You rather than just "more".
“I have told you all this so that you may find your peace in me. You will find trouble in the world—but, never lose heart, I have conquered the world!”John 16:33 PHILLIPS
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