There is a common condition in today’s society, which leads many into addictions and crime. It is called hopelessness. They have tried to make something of their life and they failed at every turn; so, they rely on worry, chemical dependence and theft to relieve their gloomy symptoms.
Authentic Believers in Christ gain glory through our trials, because we know that they ultimately produce hope in us, which never disappoints us (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). The Holy Spirit pours out the love of God in our hearts, because even when we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:2-7).
Jesus swallowed up death by His victory on Calvary’s cross. Death no longer has any sting for the Believer. We are aliens and pilgrims in this life (1 Peter 2:11). With our dying breath, we immediately pass from this earthly realm into the heavenly realm and into the waiting arms of Jesus - our Savior, Brother, Co-heir, and King.
In the face of the worse trial that life inflicts on us, we never lose hope (Jeremiah 29:11). Our loss is simply light and momentary affliction when compared to the incomparable, unseen weight of glory, which God has prepared for us in eternity (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).
We even gain glory through our trials, because we know that they ultimately produce hope in us, which never disappoints us. The Holy Spirit pours out the love of God in our hearts, because even when we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:2-7). We comfort others with the comfort that God’s Spirit provides for us.
If we will simply call out to Him in our grief and brokenness, the Lord is close, and He saves all those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 43:18; 147:3). He loves us unconditionally and has His plans for our life, that no longer include our parents, spouse, or child that we lost through death, divorce or abandonment.
We surrender our family, our future, our worries and our desires to the love and watchfulness of God Almighty (Mark 9:23). Then, we leave them in His capable hands. We may be tempted to take our cares back and worry about them some more, but this only ruins our health and gives a poor example to others of what it means to be an authentic Christian.
Prayer:
Father God, You are our shield in times of affliction. You lift up our head when we are devastated. You always hear our prayers, even though You are way up in Your holy hill. We can sleep in peace because You sustain us. Even if our circumstances are overwhelming, we have no need to fear them (Psalm 3:2-6).
You have a perfect plan for our life. These plans are for our benefit and not to harm us, because they give us a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11). You work out all things, even the negative aspects of life, for our good (Romans 8:28). We have constant access to You by faith and we rejoice in our hope in Your glory (Romans 5:2-7).
Thought for the Day:
It is up to those of us, who have first-hand experience with the wonderful love of God, to share the hope we find in Christ in a gentle, informative fashion and to entreat others to trust their life to Christ too; even during times of grief and heartbreak, God abides within us and walks with us, leading us every step of the way.
