Imininingwane ngohlelo
With God's Help: Devotions from Time of GraceIsampula
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I’m happy when I’m sad
“Thank you, sir! May I have another?” Only in the demented fraternity world of "Animal House" do people request more pain. People turn to movies, food, alcohol, and pills to escape and lessen the pain in their lives.
Perhaps, then, it comes as some surprise to hear Jesus attaching rewards to sadness. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Matthew 5:4). It’s not that he is encouraging us to go after pain and tears and misery. Rather he is giving comfort to those who are suffering now and are fearful that the punishing has only begun. We should not view our troubles now as angry judgments from God, or signs that we aren’t really saved. People whose lives right now experience bitter disappointments should not feel cheated. We will not experience heaven on earth.
Instead, we can bask in the promises Jesus makes about the future because as God he is already living there as well as now. The harder our lives are now, the more joyful they will be in heaven. The God who promises to work all things, even hardships, together for our good (Romans 8:28) guarantees that heaven will be worth the wait. He himself knew that his path to glory lay through Calvary’s cross, and in the same way, after earth’s breakdowns, collapses, and frustrations, we will enjoy an Easter rising of our own.
“Thank you, sir! May I have another?” Only in the demented fraternity world of "Animal House" do people request more pain. People turn to movies, food, alcohol, and pills to escape and lessen the pain in their lives.
Perhaps, then, it comes as some surprise to hear Jesus attaching rewards to sadness. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Matthew 5:4). It’s not that he is encouraging us to go after pain and tears and misery. Rather he is giving comfort to those who are suffering now and are fearful that the punishing has only begun. We should not view our troubles now as angry judgments from God, or signs that we aren’t really saved. People whose lives right now experience bitter disappointments should not feel cheated. We will not experience heaven on earth.
Instead, we can bask in the promises Jesus makes about the future because as God he is already living there as well as now. The harder our lives are now, the more joyful they will be in heaven. The God who promises to work all things, even hardships, together for our good (Romans 8:28) guarantees that heaven will be worth the wait. He himself knew that his path to glory lay through Calvary’s cross, and in the same way, after earth’s breakdowns, collapses, and frustrations, we will enjoy an Easter rising of our own.
Mayelana naloluHlelo
Pet sins, temptations of the world, health, personal issues, and persecution all cause us trouble at times. With God's help we can overcome and look forward to his promise of heaven through Jesus.
