Sometimes it is hard to understand why bad things happen in life. Not outrageously bad things like death, or sickness, or loss of house, but quiet, little bad things. Like losing the friendship of someone, or being disappointed in love, or feeling lost, or living a life where you are just breathing, not really living. It seems that if we had an all-powerful, all loving God he should pick us up and rescue us from our struggles. I admit, I sometimes have a hard time with this… it seems my life would be so much better if one or two simple little pieces were shifted around.
Something occurred to me the other day. When Jesus was here on earth he had a hard life too. He never had place to rest his head, meaning he could never feel settled. His teachings were constantly opposed and fought against. The Pharisees were always talking about him secretly, plotting, and hating him. He taught to a fickle crowd that loved him one day, then crucified him the next. His own disciples to whom he was so close never really understood Jesus or the impact of his mission on earth. I don’t know how it worked, but I am also sure Satan didn’t let up after those 40 days of temptation. If you think Satan works hard for our souls, I can’t imagine what sort of attacks he threw against the Son of God. Finally, Jesus was beaten, mocked, and crucified upon the cross. What a life, I couldn’t imagine.
And still, God didn’t come change it. He didn’t take Jesus’ pain away and give him what he wanted for a comfortable happy life. Jesus was humble and meek, accepting the will of the Father even when he did not let the cup pass from him. I know God loves his son with all his being. And if God didn’t even take away the sorrows from his beloved son, it can’t mean that God is heartless. It must mean there is a different reason why we suffer. For it must have been awful for God to turn away from his own Son as he hung there upon the cross, taking in all the sins of the world upon him.
I must honestly admit that I don’t know why God does or doesn’t do things. I know that once sin entered the world that sorrow would forever be part of man’s life. That of course isn’t God’s fault. Sometimes, I think, we create our own problems. When we refuse to let go of the fear and worry and doubt that permeate our lives, we are letting go of God’s hand. Then when we have complicated our lives and begin to demand certain requirements for happiness, we inevitably become disappointed. And self-pity sets in with its decaying power. God never promised happiness. Look at Moses, look at Paul, look at the disciples; they all led hard lives far from luxurious. I think if we readjust what we expect from God, we in turn will be able to give back to him something worthwhile; being humble, grateful, believing, and joyful.
If Jesus had to suffer who am I to lead a life free of suffering? Shouldn’t my own pain in life bring me closer to God and closer to the heart of his Son? And it is something to consider: we have no idea what sort of things God is NOT letting happen to us. We are unaware of the traps he may have just saved us from. So in conclusion, I don’t know why life is so difficult sometimes. I don’t know why people who are good must suffer, must be alone, must hurt. But I do know this:
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Romans 8;18
For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 2 Corinthians 4:17
He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever. Rev 21:4
And today, this is enough for me. <3
