Troubles

 February 22, 2023

St. Paul at one time retraced his steps through Asia Minor, visiting the churches he had founded. Acts 14:22 says he spent time “strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”” Paul had a much more realistic picture of life than many of today’s preachers and other Christians. If you listen closely to the way we talk, you would think God’s main concern in life is to make us comfortable and happy. “Come to Jesus, and he’ll give you real peace and joy,” we say, forgetting to add that according to Jesus, there is a cross we must pick up and carry if we are serious about following him.

Jesus didn’t come to make life easier, but he does make it bearable, even through the times of pain and suffering. He does that not by removing the suffering, but by walking beside us through it. As an added benefit, if we are willing to receive it, he also gives us other people who will come alongside us, sometimes not saying a word, but simply loving us and praying for us.

I don’t think there is a single person who doesn’t know someone who is struggling with life right now. It may be you, or it may be a family member, friend, or work or school associate. I wish I could say God will take away your pain, will smooth the path before you and make roses bloom where there are nothing but stumbling stones in your way, but I cannot. Paul’s words are true: “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” That is why we, like the disciples of long ago, need to be strengthened and encouraged to continue in the faith. 

If you are struggling, don’t give up! If you know someone who is struggling, come alongside them. If you have no words, sit together in silence. If all you have is tears, cry with them. You needn’t try to explain God’s ways; in fact, you can’t. But you can love, and be the arms and hearts of Christ to someone hurting tonight.