Inevitable
I think that we would all keep our children from going through pain if we could. Our heavenly Father doesn't think the same. He actually likes to make us go through some discomfort in life. For some of us, He knows we can handle a lot of discomfort, bordering on miserable at times. Romans 5 explains:
2 And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
But some pain can be avoided. The pain that stems from our disobedience and our separation from God is one that we do not have to suffer with anymore. My heart goes out for those who refuse to bend to the will of God and the promptings of His Holy Spirit. Unfortunately, there are too many who live with this pain daily, and don't know that there is freedom from it.
Can we speak this truth into those relationships? Can we be loving enough to speak to those far from God that they don't have to be miserable anymore? Some pain is inevitable, but not all. And people need to hear it!
If a relationship is totally closed to any Christ-centered conversation than do what Paul suggests in Phillipians 2:14-16,
Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.
Shine like the stars, dear readers, and illuminate the way Christ has provided to get through pain, or even how to get out of it.
2 And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
But some pain can be avoided. The pain that stems from our disobedience and our separation from God is one that we do not have to suffer with anymore. My heart goes out for those who refuse to bend to the will of God and the promptings of His Holy Spirit. Unfortunately, there are too many who live with this pain daily, and don't know that there is freedom from it.
Can we speak this truth into those relationships? Can we be loving enough to speak to those far from God that they don't have to be miserable anymore? Some pain is inevitable, but not all. And people need to hear it!
If a relationship is totally closed to any Christ-centered conversation than do what Paul suggests in Phillipians 2:14-16,
Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.
Shine like the stars, dear readers, and illuminate the way Christ has provided to get through pain, or even how to get out of it.
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