Christ experienced humanity by suffering…
pain
My Pondering
That’s deep stuff from sir Charles…I for one sure want learn and adapt quickly as possible, especially from OPM (Other People’s Mistakes) as we see in life and the Bible because I have suffered plenty for being a bonehead.
With an attitude of gratitude and applying wisdom we pick up, hopefully we can avoid some of these painful experiences. However, when it’s all said and done, then we will really know that some, maybe all, of these painfully experiences where blessings turned inside out.
God does indeed whisper to us in our comfort, speak to us during our daily routines but He most certainly SHOUTS and to us in our pain.
Let’s not forget these comforting words from the mind of Paul, as guided by the Spirit:
“16 Therefore we do not lose heart.
1 Corinthians 4:16-18,
Though our outer self is wasting away,
yet our inner self is being renewed day by day.
17 For our light and momentary affliction
is producing for us an eternal glory
that is far beyond comparison.
18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen,
but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary,
but what is unseen is eternal”
Why does God allow suffering in the world?
My Pondering
That’s a great question. It’s a toughy.
I believe it stems from the consequences of free will as we live in a sin laden world. This inevitably causes us pain which prompts us to seek a higher power. Our suffering prevents our being too complacent in our puffed-up prideful ego of self.
As we humble ourself, God is endeared and prompts us to respond to His love, thus we believers are grateful. He is then glorified all the more, as He should.
God Himself experienced the ultimate suffering on the cross. He suffered physically a terrible painful death. But immeasurably worse was the spiritual suffering as the sin of all mankind was laid upon Jesus as the Father removed His divine presence and tore apart the unity of the trinity between the Godhead for a moment. That’s incredible. Incredible love. Imagine that. Watch out the Passion of the Christ movie.
That’s what my God did for me and you. That’s why Jesus deserves praise forever more.
Jesus Wept
Sometimes life is sad. Sometimes a good cry is helpful. Life is a beautiful mess. The messy parts hurts. It hurts our hearts. Our dear Savior felt pain too. Imagine that.
Whether it was at Lazarus’s tomb, in the garden or hanging up on that old rugged cross, Jesus wept. He anguished and felt pain.
He lived the ultimate paradox being 100% man and 100% God simultaneously. Talk about having a foot in both worlds.
One thing we should definently model, though He felt pain, He was intentional about having quiet ‘1 on 1’ time with His Father regularly. He stayed on mission and wasn’t distracted yet He was serendipitous. He was both sympathetic and empathetic.
You know He could have stayed in Heaven where it was cozy. He belittled Himself to Nth degree that is impossible for us to fully grasp.
He loves us whether we realize and accept it or not. He wept because He truly cares. He know my pain. He knows your pain. He must of thought it worth it.
You can use your pain. No pain, no gain. Turn it inside out. Give to God and while embracing your weak mortality embrace Jesus for He is no longer on the Cross. He overcame the ultimate loss, that of death, and made a path for each of us.
Born once, die twice. Born twice, die once. That is a tried and true saying. Amen?
The choice is YOURS. I chose the latter; the born twice. The born again route.
We each have our crosses to carry. If you are reading this, I guarantee that. Choose wisely and reply here if you have an encouragement to share or a question to ask.
Blessings in Jesus most holy and precious name.
Painful the best?
“We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.”
-CS Lewis