“In every way we’re troubled, but we aren’t crushed by our troubles. We’re frustrated, but we don’t give up” (2 Corinthians 4:8 God’s Word©).
Sometimes troubles become more than a believer can bear. The pain grows until the Child of God is crushed and gives up. I do not want to preach a shallow word here that is orthodox instead of real. Having come so close to reaching that point over twenty years ago I do not judge, nor do I condone any such judgment. God receives that believer into the land of heaven where pain and tears do not exist.
Paraclete provides a way through, except sometimes. Sometimes the horrors heaped on us end our struggle. How many martyrs speak to us throughout history, for example? Indeed, sometimes our persecutors end our earthly life, but even in that “we are more than conquerors through Christ”.
I am NOT saying give up. My heart simply acknowledges that serving Jesus can sometimes get really rough. It doesn’t always turn out looking like success on earth! Just hang on to Jesus in whom there is always HOPE.
The real point is that “We demonstrate that we are God’s servants as we are praised and dishonored, as we are slandered and honored, and as we use what is right to attack what is wrong and to defend the truth. We are treated as dishonest although we are honest, as unknown although we are well-known, as dying although, as you see, we go on living. We are punished, but we are not killed. People think we are sad although we’re always glad” (2 Corinthians 6:7-10a God’s Word©).
“I eagerly expect and hope that I will have nothing to be ashamed of. I will speak very boldly and honor Christ in my body, now as always, whether I live or die. Christ means everything to me in this life, and when I die I’ll have even more” (Philippians 1:20-21 God’s Word©).
+++++++
This Lent I was led on a pilgrimage. On it I discovered the lifetime of suffering I had lived. The journey was for me, but about Jesus. Now there is learning which I wish to share as Lent continues.
Related Articles
April 6, 2014
nopew
viewoutsidethepew 
2 responses to “When the Going Gets Rough”
nopew
April 7th, 2014 at 02:44
Yes, when it “feels” most like God has abandoned us is when Jesus holds onto us most closely!
Peace
LikeLike
greenlightlady
April 6th, 2014 at 20:20
I like your words to us today. It’s not fun to be crushed; however, it’s when our tears flow over His feet that I find He reaches down to stroke my bowed head and place hope in my broken heart. Jesus is our hope.
Blessings ~ Wendy ❀
LikeLike