"In this world you will have trouble," Jesus said.
People get sick. Jobs are lost. Money is tight. Circumstances are challenging. Loved ones die. Stock markets crash. Kids rebel. Natural disasters destroy. Plans fall apart. Politics divide. Relationships crumble. Wars ravage. Disappointments abound.
Some days I want to ignore it all and hide in my bed.
I remember once asking my grandmother how she got through the tough times in her life. At 20 years old, she was drug by a horse, leaving her with a bad hip she lived with until having it replaced in her 70's. One of her five children had asthma in a time before breathing treatments brought relief. She told me about sitting in a chair with him all night, praying he'd keep breathing. She nursed her husband through cancer and eventually watched him die. In her 80's, her leg was amputated due to poor circulation.
"Grandma, how did you get through all those hard things?" I asked.
She looked at me dumbfounded and said, "What else are you going to do?"
Do you think her answer had anything to do with the worn Bible that sat next to her chair in the living room?
It's true Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble," but He quickly added, "But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
Yes, we will suffer on earth. Our days will not be idyllic. Our time here will be full of hard stuff.
But God says, "Stick with Me and I'll make the pain count. None of it will be wasted."
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
2 Corinthians 4:17
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
As Christ followers, we know we'll experience pain, but we also know He'll make it count for our good. He sees. He knows. He says it's worth it for His plans.
You've kept track of my every toss and turn through the sleepless nights,
Each tear entered in your ledger, each ache written in your book.
For that, I am thankful.
Psalm 56:8 (MSG)
Find more Thankful Thursday posts at Spiritually Unequal Marriage.
Photo Credit: takomabibelot
3 comments:
Such an encouraging post, Tami. Thank you. We have a lot to learn from scripture and from our elders about surviving these tough times!
Happy Thankful Thursday!
Amen, well said.
Oh Tami,
Your words, your story grabbed my heart. I sooooo want to meet your grandma. What a woman of faith.
This is such a powerful and well written post. Thank you and thank you for sharing your grandma with all of us, especially me.
Hugging you. Lynn
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