When it hurts so bad you can’t stand it, Jesus will ease your pain. He offers comfort, peace, and new purpose to those who take refuge in him. Here’s why.
When it hurts so bad you can’t stand it, know that Jesus shares your pain and offers comfort
Pain is an inescapable part of life. From scraped knees, to traumatic psychological wounds, and deep emotional loss. Jesus suffered all of this and more. He understands what you’re going through. And supports those who lean on him.
He also suffered pain and unjust condemnation. And quietly accepted it as part of his mission.
He was mocked by his accusers and executed in the most brutal manner of the day. The one reserved for the most vile criminals.
And yet, he did so willingly. To take your place and mine. Because we are guilty of sin before God.
He suffered humiliation. Agonizing torture. Excruciating pain. And finally, death. At the hands of people who hated him. But he loved in return. People that wanted to kill him. But he wanted to save.
He died so we can live. And comforts those who turn to him.
When it hurts so bad you can’t stand it, know that Jesus mends broken hearts and offers peace
It’s a natural question when we suffer unjustly: Why, God, did you let that happen? Sometimes it takes years to receive an answer. Sometimes you never do.
The death Jesus suffered doesn’t make sense either. Why, God, did you let your own son die? He never wronged anyone. But compassionately healed. And taught people how to live relationally with one another. How to know and find peace with God.
It’s much more than inner peace. Or lack of conflict. But an incomprehensible peace. Where you are reconciled to God.
And that is the only answer for the death of Jesus. It is our emancipation from sin.
Therefore, Jesus knows the depth of your pain. And heals the brokenhearted.
When it hurts so bad you can’t stand it, know that Jesus offers joy and new purpose
The joy of the Lord strengthens you. It doesn’t replace sorrow or eliminate hurt. But you can experience joy in spite of them.
Because joy is not dependent on circumstances. It sees beyond them and is based on God’s promise of an eternal future. Where there is no more sorrow and no more pain.
However, God’s grace is present in this life too. Because He promises to make things work out for good. When you love and trust Him. And submit to His will.
Of course, none of this is easy. Or comes naturally.
You must act by faith. Believing that Jesus is God. And God is sovereign with an eternal plan that has your best interest in mind.
He is your source of strength. Provides reason for living. And hope for the future. Where all questions are answered. And healing is complete.
About Chip Tudor:
Chip Tudor is an author, blogger and freelance copywriter. He publishes humorous Christian drama, books, and thought provoking blogs from a Christian worldview.
The Christmas Story Shepherds offer several lessons for us today. Here are four of them from the account in the book of Luke.
The Christmas Story Shepherds Show That God Has Different Values
Sheep were an important resource in this day. As a source of food, clothing and religious sacrifice. So protecting them was important. Unfortunately, however, shepherding was a lowly occupation. Living outside in close company with animals and therefore, considered unclean. Which meant they could not worship at the temple.
So you would normally expect them to be the last ones to learn about the birth of Jesus. But God chose them to be the first.
Why? Because God operates by a different set of values. He starts at the bottom rather than the top. By placing a high value on humility and a low value on pride. And sets aside, social and economic status.
Because in God’s value system, the last will be first and the first will be last.
The Christmas Story Shepherds Show The Gospel is Inclusive
The angels made it clear that the good news and great joy was for all people. The Greek word can also be translated all nations.
In other words, Jesus came to save every single person in the entire world. This is what sets the Christmas story apart. It flips the switch when compared to other religions. Rather than man trying to make his way up to God, it’s the only one where God makes his way down to man.
The Christmas Story Shepherds Encourage Us To Fact Check For Ourselves
The Shepherds were visited by a host of angels. Pretty important delivery method in divine messaging. And yet, the Shepherds didn’t just take their word on it. They checked it out for themselves.
It’s a good word for us today. Yes, ultimately the Christmas story and the Gospel of Jesus Christ must be accepted by faith. But faith is not blind or uninformed. You don’t exclude intellect. Turn off your brain. God’s Word is meant to be critically studied. Thoughtfully considered. And carefully examined.
So don’t simply take someone else’s word for it. Read the Bible for yourself. Not just random parts, but the whole thing. Whatever you decide, at least you can say it’s an informed decision.
The Christmas Story Shepherds Encourage Us To Share The Good News
The Shepherds were convinced that this good news was real. All of them, not just one or two. And there was no hesitation. No concern about who to tell. They went home praising God and made known what they were told about the child. And all who heard it wondered.
Two thousand years later and the Christmas story is still relevant. Still good news. Worth sharing. And causes wonder.
What does an Easter Pivot have in common with March Madness Road to the Final Four? Both present unexpected surprises. And both involve changes in direction. In the case of Easter, however, those pivots have eternal significance. Here are four pivots that explain the Easter Story.
The First Easter Pivot Is When Mankind Broke The Relationship With God
Some people claim God is an Almighty, ill-tempered Being. Like a petty child, looking to zap us all with thunderbolts. And you can build a sour image of God if you collect enough Old Testament passages taken out of context. Although, you have to completely ignore all the ones that speak of God’s love and care for His creation.
But here’s the point. Early on in the book of Genesis, Adam and Eve were good with God. The Garden of Eden was an environmentally friendly place to live. Adam, Eve and God hung out together. Only one restriction. Don’t eat fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden. Which they did. In disobedience to God.
It did not change God or his heart for mankind. He was and is the same. But it did change the relationship. Because now, sin messed it up. And rather than walk with God, they pivoted and walked away from God. And today, walking away from God is our natural tendency.
The Second Easter Pivot Is When God Sent His Son To Mend The Relationship
If God was the ill-tempered Being people claim, He would have walked away too. But He didn’t. He didn’t shrug and let us all die in our sin. Or completely wiped us out and start over. Instead, God pivoted and sent His son Jesus Christ as a perfect sacrifice. Because only a perfect sacrifice payed the penalty for sin. And only Jesus qualified as perfect.
Jesus was a game changer. He amazed everyone with his miracles. Taught with a level of spiritual insight and wisdom unlike anyone before or since. And created a global following that has flourished for 2,000 years.
The Third Easter Pivot Is When Jesus Was Resurrected
Jesus willingly died the horrible death of Roman crucifixion. Not a humanly rational decision by most standards. But humanly possible.
The resurrection, however, is something only God can do. You know, the Almighty Being that some accuse of being petty and ill-tempered?
The resurrection was an Easter pivot away from certain death. It gives you and me an opportunity to renew a relationship with God.
The Fourth Pivot Is Up To You And Me
Although my natural tendency is to reject God, I can choose instead, an Easter pivot. To change directions. And move towards God in a new relationship. God forgives my sin. But I have to ask for it. And receive the gift Jesus sacrificed himself to give me. But I must choose to follow him.
And when I do, it puts me on a new road. With a final outcome full of joy and hope. And represents the Easter Story.
The big idea behind a Biblical worldview. Okay, actually, the Bible presents many big ideas. But here are three foundational to the Christian faith.
The Big Idea Behind A Biblical Worldview. Authority of scripture.
The Bible teaches that God is perfect, all powerful, all knowing and everywhere at once. Concepts that are impossible for my mind to grasp. But the big idea I can grasp is that God is the ultimate authority.
Furthermore, the Bible insists the scriptures are His authoritative word. His absolute truth. That’s why Christ-followers read, study and quote the Bible. It provides practical guidance and insightful instructions to follow.
Not because God is a control freak. But because scripture tells us how to live in community and get along with one another.
So we submit first to God’s ultimate authority and then to civil government that is granted authority by God. And we can resist civil authority only when it abuses its power and violates God’s ultimate authority.
And since God’s word is absolute truth, we can’t just arbitrarily reject the parts we don’t like. Toss out what doesn’t fit into our personal worldview. Because God’s word, like God is unchanging.
But here’s the problem. Modern society and its ideas do change. And are now changing rapidly. That’s why the Biblical worldview and modern culture worldview are clashing. And the sound is growing louder.
The Big Idea Behind A Biblical Worldview Includes Sanctity
Sanctity begins with a sense of reverence. First, reverence for a Holy God. The creator and sustainer of life.
God ascribes value to every human life. From within the womb to the end of life.
And because He does, we should too. Value it. Protect it. And work to promote human flourishing around the world.
But sanctity extends beyond the physical world to the spiritual form of holiness.
For many, holiness conjures up images of self-righteous people preaching hellfire and brimstone.
But the idea behind holiness is to be set apart. Not pretentious perfection. As if Christ-followers are morally superior. Rather, it’s understanding that in striving to imitate Jesus, your life should resemble his. Not perfectly, but in a recognizable form.
The Big Idea Behind A Biblical Worldview Includes Discipleship
In simple terms, a disciple is a follower. Someone who accepts the teaching of a spiritual leader and commits to following them.
Biblical discipleship is a proactive walk of faith. It recognizes that Christ-followers are transformed by the Spirit of Christ. But it is an ongoing process of spiritual development. One where no one arrives in this life. But complete the journey when we meet him in person.
In a Biblical worldview, Jesus Christ is the leader we follow. Who expects his followers to obey his teachings.
Discipleship is a voluntary commitment. And yet it is demanding. Unyielding in its standards. And one that Jesus warned, would have a cost. Doesn’t sound all that inviting does it?
And yet it is a source of earthly joy, purpose, meaning and hope towards an eternal life. And that’s actually pretty cool sounding.
About Chip Tudor:
Chip Tudor is an author, blogger and professional writer. He publishes books, humorous Christian drama, and thought provoking blogs from a Christian worldview.This blog is originally published here.
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The Bible speaks about finding your why. That search for meaning. A sense of purpose. Your mission or calling.
It’s a journey that is essentially, a spiritual experience. And open to all who follow its instructions. Here are three Biblical approaches for finding yours.
The Bible’s Approach To Finding Your Why Has An Eternal Perspective
The Bible teaches that life does not end on earth but stretches into eternity. Heaven and Hell are real places and everyone makes a personal choice that determines their destination.
Although when your worldview ends with this life, then everything in this life increases in importance. And is further complicated by the urgency to accomplish it all in a lifetime compressed into years.
Like your collection of achievements and rewards. The search for meaning and significance. The scramble to check off your bucket list.
But when your mindset extends into a blissful eternity, the pressure is off. Because your sense of ongoing development, purpose and fulfillment continue.
And it’s okay if you don’t get it all together in this life. Because you have eternity to figure it out. In a quality of life that is new and improved.
And this anticipation fuels your endurance on earth. And inspires you with hope.
The Bible’s Approach To Finding Your Why Looks Outward Rather Than Inward
Modern culture encourages you to look within yourself. Get in touch with your feelings. Find your inner strength. Claim what you deserve.
However, the Bible teaches the exact opposite. To look outward rather than inward. Find strength from God, not yourself. Give rather than receive.
It’s radical, contradictory teaching that makes you wonder if Jesus was even sane. He even had the audacity to demand complete allegiance to his teachings.
And claim only those prepared to lose themselves would find themselves. Crazy ideas. Preposterous principles.
And even more bizarre? Still gaining millions of followers for over 2,000 years.
The Bible’s Approach To Finding Your Why Finds It Within God’s Greater Plan
Jesus made it clear that his why was not to establish his own agenda. But to follow the will of his Father.
And while the Bible says he had divine rights, he gave them up to follow his Father’s plan.
A mission not of his choosing. But of sacrifice. Of submission. To save the world.
Submission is practically unheard of today. We prefer to celebrate…even demand our individual rights. And yet, Jesus claimed that path leads to bondage, but his way sets you free.
And so, by imitating him. By submitting to God and seeking His will. You will discover the Biblical path to finding your why.
It’s a radical approach. A narrow road. Simple, but not easy. Yet, leads to spiritual life that is amazing. Spectacular. And eternal.
About Chip Tudor:
Chip Tudor is an author, blogger and professional writer. He publishes books, humorous Christian drama, and thought provoking blogs from a Christian worldview.This blog is originally published here.
Looking for a Bible Study for yourself or small group??
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