“Before long, the world will not see Me anymore, but you will see Me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you.” (John 14:19-20)
Because Christ is risen and alive in Heaven, we also shall live beyond the grave, and more than this, we shall live this life having God with us. What an incredible revelation and truth!
I have found that because Jesus is with me, I can endure and overcome many things I could never face and survive in my own strength. We each face challenges and hardships, and even though no two lives face the exact same difficulties in exactly the same way, we all know suffering and pain–it is part of the human condition. The only question is: do you face your challenges alone or with Jesus helping and guiding you through the maze of pain and suffering?
On one occasion a surgeon who had operated on me before without much comment, said to me: “This is really going to hurt.” Now, it was a procedure like others he had done before, only this time he thought it would hurt so bad he should warn me. And he was right, the pain was terrible.
We all know that in spite of many sunny days and peaceful times, challenges are just around the bend of the road. Sometimes we are warned about painful situations, and sometimes they arrive without warning, but they do come.
Yet despite the challenges in our lives we need not live in fear, for those who know Christ as their Lord and Savior also know they do not face challenges alone. We do not suffer pain in a vacuum, but whatever pain we are going through we have the presence and comfort of God in our lives.
I think God would have us know that “This is going to hurt.” Life is both joy and pain, living is both pleasure and suffering. Yes, this is going to hurt sometimes, but God is with us in, and through the pain.
Prayer: Dear Lord, be with us through the painful episodes in our lives Help us to always remember that we are not alone in our suffering. Amen.
About The Author:
Karlton Douglas lives in Ohio with his lovely wife. He takes great comfort in having God’s presence in his life.
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