Suffering and sorrow make us vulnerable to the lies of religion. God doesn't cause evil, but He does allow it, for now, so that we can freely choose relationship with Him and so that we can understand our need for Him. I don't know that I need a doctor if I can't see or feel any of the symptoms of my sickness. God doesn't want mindless drones that are compelled to follow Him and do what's right anymore than we want to be subject to mind control and unable to decide anything for ourselves. But when we get to decide, sometimes we make bad choices, sometimes other people make bad choices that effect us, and sometimes choices made long before we were born are still causing a ripple of suffering and destruction on the pond of existence.
But while God doesn't cause this suffering, He can and will use it to do something good to us, for us, in us and through us, if we let Him. That doesn't mean that loving God is going to make all difficulties cease and all suffering end on this side of eternity. Joseph sat in a dungeon for two decades before being freed and put in a position to help save his people, second only to Pharaoh. Two decades. Scripture is filled with people of faith who endured hardship and suffering, and the idea that faith should or will make life perpetually calm and comfortable, that perfect faith produces a perfect life here on this side of eternity, is a lie that doesn't match with the life of Jesus or the lives of others in scripture.
But we will get through it. It won't always be easy, and it may take a long time, and it might even hurt more than we think we can stand, but like Joseph being released from the pit and Jonah being spit out of the great fish and Jesus rising from death itself, we will get past and through the situation, circumstances and suffering of life. That dark place in the Valley of Shadow is not our destination but something we are going through. When we get through it, we can discover that we are closer to God, deeper in love with Him, have a better understanding of Him, and are being healed and restored and comforted from the results of living under the curse of sin, the bondage of our own choices and the beatings from the choices of others. Much of this healing and restoration can and will happen now, the more we draw near to Him, the more life and freedom and healing He provides, but some won't come until we reach the other side. But it will come, because Daddy didn't do this to you. Daddy didn't hurt you. Daddy loves you and longs to make you well and whole.
This site is free. If this blessed, helped and or informed you, the best thing you can do is pass it on via the social buttons below. And please subscribe or follow Unshackled Life Ministries on Facebook.
Unshackled Life Ministries is grateful for every person that reads the daily Unshackled Moments, the weekly Unshackled Echo and or listens to the Audio Messages. I want to thank those who have clicked "like" on something that blessed or ministered to them on social media, commented on the blog or replied to an email subscription. It is encouraging to know that God is using this ministry to help and bless others. Please remember that if God used something from this ministry to help, encourage or bless you, it could also bless someone else. Would you help get the devotions and sermons to more people by sharing this? Hitting the share button or forwarding this to a friend will help us reach more people with the good news of freedom and the encouragement to live an Unshackled Life. Thank you and God bless.
No comments:
Post a Comment