A Reason For The Pain

Jesus answered, "It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him."

John 9:3

 

The people had just asked Christ, "Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he is blind."  In the days of Christ's ministry, any infirmity or disability was viewed as a direct result of sin, whether that person's or the previous generation's.  Nothing just happened. 

When I read this passage, I internally jumped for joy.  I finally had an answer to this question, "why do bad things happen to good people?"  I struggled with this question in a more specific sense: Why did God allow me to be abused?  I knew that He would work good from the situation, but I just couldn't see why God would allow it or what I had done to deserve it.  I finally came to the realization that sometimes bad things just happen.

Bad things happen, but not without a purpose.  God has a plan to show His works through every situation if we would let Him.  Are you willing to let God work through your struggles and trials?  Are you willing to give it to Him that He may be glorified?

 

This does not negate the pain.  I know well how much it will hurt, even years after the fact.  However, to begin to heal, I have learned that I must look to God above who will help me through the pain. 

 

Challenge:  Reflect on a trying time in your life.  If it is recent, consider the ways God could be glorified and what His purpose may be.  If it is a more distant situation, consider what He has done through this difficulty and how He has shown Himself and His great works.

Vulnerability is strength

Our world teaches to be strong, insisting that any sign of weakness will be the end.  You must be strong, we hear.  You cannot trust anyone but yourself, they teach us.  There is no higher power, no one to save you, but you. 

We buy into the lies.  We put on the mask of strength and independence.  Out in the world, and often in our homes, we cannot and do not trust anyone. 

This path leads us to loneliness and destruction.  For many, it leads to suicidal ideation or other self-destructive choices. 

I was one of those people.  I wore the mask and seemed so strong to everyone... but myself.  And when it mattered most, I could nothing.  I ran into myself and broke through the wall.  I realized just how weak I really was.  And I learned just how strong God is and how he created us to have strength in numbers.  We cannot stand alone forever.

After near devastation, I started putting the mask and allowing my defenses to be broken down.  It hurt and sometimes still hurts.  I struggle with trusting others, but I have learned to be honest with myself and with others.  I will not put on a show anymore, because in the simple of honesty, I have strength, strength to allow God to heal my heart and to allow people to know the real me.

Will you join me?  Will you put down your mask and be honest, even if only in a small way?

Learning to Love You

"You cannot make someone love you.  You can only be someone who can be loved."
                                                -unknown

Too often we try to be something we're not to so that we can be loved.  And we've all seen the movies that depict a person gaining popularity by losing who he is. 

I have honestly learned that I can only be loved when I am who I love to be.  After many struggles and failures (including a breakdown), I stopped trying and instead starting take care of me first.  I love people and want so much to help everyone; however, I cannot help anyone if I do not first give myself the attention needed to tend to my wounds.

For any of you reading this, I challenge you to step away from the world's idea of you and take a long look in the mirror.  Do you love what you see?  If not, change it.  Take the challenge of facing yourself and starting the long road to finding who you are.