“It’s always something,” declared Countess Violet Crawley, portrayed by Maggie Smith on Downton Abbey. I came to attention in my chair as I heard the exasperation with life and the calamities written into the shows dialogue. I thought – “Yes! That’s so true! And even those who seem to have it all, still have trials – no one is exempt. God, why is life so hard?” As I whispered this, I knew the answer immediately – “We live in a fallen world;” however, I still envisioned and longed for that peaceful meandering, gentle and effortlessly flowing river of life.
Life! It can be beautiful, joyous, adventurous, fulfilling and also messy, painful, disappointing, and chaotic. Even in scripture the psalmist cried out in his trouble: “Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me.” Psalm 42:7. In his pain he cried out for deliverance and relief from his despair: “Why have you forgotten me – why do I mourn?” vs. 9. This woeful song concludes, despite all the pain and suffering, the bottom line is: “Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him.”
Challenges and pain are no respecter of persons. When we reflect on the billions of people who have walked this earth and faced their personal daily challenges and loss, we realize we are not alone. The author of Ecclesiastes lamented: “That which has been is that which will be, and that which has been done is that which will be done. So, there is nothing new under the sun.” (1:9). The solution by this author, some who suggest it is Solomon, after trying wisdom, pleasure, human achievement and riches – all resulted in emptiness with happiness only being found when we revere God as the center of our lives. Just like our forefathers we prayerfully hope for guidance by Holy Spirit to move us toward revelation and truth to live well. Even in our pursuit of intimacy with God, Jesus and Holy Spirit, we realize, there is always more to learn.
When we look at Paul the apostle of Christ, we find in his second letter to the Church at Corinth, he was distressed, emotionally charged with suffering and frustrations, as well as discouragement; some scholars even suggest“defensiveness,” as he was plagued with criticism, slander, misunderstandings, prison, health challenges and the thorn in his flesh. This epistle is considered the least doctrinal of his writings. We find him more transparent and personal as he endured attacks, slander and discouragement. He poured himself out to the church, only to still battle pockets of aggression, criticism, and personal loss. Maybe you can identify with him. He must have wondered at some point, “Have I wasted my life on an illusion? Was this all for nothing?”
Despite the challenges, Paul begins his letter in chapter one, with an upbeat greeting and revelation from his hardship to encourage those who have been questioning: “Why me God?”
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort (encourage, exhort toward virtue); who comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction (distress, being crushed) with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the suffering (hardship, emotional pain) of Christ are ours in abundance (excess), so also our comfort (consolation) is abundant through Christ, (2 Corinthians 1:3-5).
Paul continues in verse 6: But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer (experience evil). Paul reminds us that there is hope in our pain; that we may mature and grow in compassion to serve and minister to others in distress.
This can be a very hard pill to swallow especially after personal loss; and I’ve needed to remind myself many times: “Is this not what I signed up for? It’s easy in those sweet, innocent, peaceful moments when we tenderly whisper to him: “I love you. Use me Lord. I want to serve you Father.” We give ourselves to him not always realizing or being instructed that we are aligning with Jesus and his words found in Luke 22:42,“Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” We also learn to identify with Jesus in his suffering found in Philippians 3:10: “…that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.”
In spite of the hardship, Paul’s words and journey brought encouragement to the Corinthians and still today give strength to the weary to not relinquish hope; to look to the Godhead and remain loyal to Christ and not to our human desires or personalities. Let us choose to strengthen one another and declare like Paul at Philippi that through joy as well as sorrow, we will: …press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Phil 3:14). This is a worthy path of life.
Let’s pray ~
Father, you are so majestic, omnipotent and omniscient . It is difficult to comprehend the vastness of your ways. We love you and thank you for your mercy, your grace and loving kindness we receive daily. Our deep desire is to know you and to have communion with you. Help us to comprehend the depth of your love and desire to speak to us, guide us and bring healing to those places in our heart that seem too deep and painful to heal. Come as Jehovah Rapha, our Healer, and repair the breaches received from this earthly life. Your wisdom confounds the wise. You declare we are blessed when we are poor in spirit; blessed when we mourn; blessed in meekness as we hunger and thirst for you and your truth; blessed as we release mercy and peace to those who despitefully use us; you cause us to become pure in heart and strengthen us in your joy; so we humble ourselves before you and say: “Come Lord now. Reveal yourself to us and heal your people,” in Jesus’ name.
In His Love,
