Reasons for Hope

Wednesday, 27th June 2012

Biblical perspectives for living

Blessing In Brokenness

It is a sad fact that life can be extremely difficult for people at times. Some people are damaged at an early age through mistreatment or neglect in the home. Some are mistreated in their work environment. Others enter into relationships or marriage full of hope only to suffer great disappointment when the relationship disintegrates. Others develop serious or long-term health issues which impact on the quality of life.

The human spirit can be strong and resilient and many people display extraordinary courage and strength in the face of all sorts of difficulties in life. It seems that we are built with certain coping mechanisms whereby we can continue to function even when confronted with serious trials. Natural human optimism carries some along in such times. Sometimes however we may learn to 'survive' these situations and struggle along bruised and battle weary. Many others however are utterly devastated by some of the hardships in life and can find it difficult to cope and function in any normal way and may experience acute short or long term emotional or psychological problems.

Sometimes God allows a person to come to the very end of their natural human resources and abilities in order to develop their relationship with Himself. Paul experienced great hardship and persecution in his missionary work: "We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure so that we despaired even of life. Indeed we felt in our hearts the sentence of death. But this happened so that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead". Paul learned through these trials that God is "the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles" (2 Cor. 1:9, 3,4).

Jesus came to "bind up the broken-hearted" and to "comfort all who mourn" (Isaiah 61:1,3). He said: "Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matt. 11:28). Those who do this begin to learn that no situation, no matter how difficult, can separate the believer from God's love and that in every trial we can be "more than conquerors through him who loved us" (Romans 8:37-39).

I.Kennedy