The Radical Call of Following Jesus

Peace, Joy, and Rest in Times of Suffering

2 Corinthians 1:5, 2 Timothy 3:12, Romans 12:12, Phillipians 1:29, Matthew 7:25, John 16:33

Life isn't easy. If we're being honest, it can sometimes be overwhelming. We live in a broken world where poor health can strike unexpectedly, where jobs can be lost, where we feel unloved, where others do us harm, where financial hardships exist, where loved ones suffer and pass away, where marriages are strained, and a host of other challenges. In the most difficult seasons, we may have trouble sleeping or waking to face the day because the weight is so heavy. And these difficult seasons can last for weeks, months, years, or even decades. Be thankful if you haven't yet walked through much suffering, but know that those days will come.

Christians are not spared from these trials and difficulties. But the miracle of a supernaturally transformed life is that even while we're suffering, we can simultaneously experience peace, joy, and rest!

We have to hold tight to Jesus and the living water He gives, like a tree whose roots go deeper to underground rivers when the heat and droughts come. (Jeremiah 17:7, Psalm 1:3) This is one of the most precious earthly gifts of salvation that we can experience. The pain doesn't disappear, but praise God that there is a comfort in sensing His presence, by our side in a real way. He literally lives in us through the Holy Spirit, and we rest knowing that He is good, He is in control, and He has a perfect plan for us and our loved ones.

Hope For The Future!

Ephesians 4:23-24, Colossians 1:10, Colossians 3:10, Phillipians 2:13, Revelation 21:1-4

We are becoming like him through sanctification, growing in the fruit of the Spirit. We will grow in "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." (Gal. 5:22-23) This is the evidence that He is alive and at work in us.

Our bad habits, character flaws, hurtful actions, temptations, and other struggles of the heart and mind don't go away quickly. We all do things that don't represent Jesus well (and we should be careful how we judge others). But we can rest assured that over time, we will change and there is a joy in seeing how He matures us and uses us to bless others.

And the greatest hope of all is that we will be with Him one day in heaven, a place where there is no pain and suffering. C.S. Lewis said it so well, "If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world."

We were made for another world, but there is no partial way to get there. (Revelation 3:15-16) If we fully surrender every part of our lives, keeping Jesus at the center, we have a heavenly home waiting for us where we will spend eternity. Our very best moments here are just mere shadows of what awaits, and we live today knowing that the best is yet to come.

Final Thoughts

Thank you so much for taking the time to read through these pages. If it's been an uplifting read, wonderful! If you think it's off-base, strange, or offensive, I trust that our relationship is still intact. (And if we don't know each other, I hope our paths cross again soon.)

If you're interested in further exploring these topics, feel free to click here for links to other online resources and churches in our area that may be of interest.