Love and Struggles

I often blame my New York City roots for much of my negativity and perhaps it is partly the source of my proclivity to go to the dark side of my brain. For years there has been a debate raging in my mind.. it goes like this: God is good but my life sucks.. maybe a bit too transparent but none-the-less where I find myself more times than I want. Interpreting health failures and disappointments in light of God's love really challenges me and I often find myself gravitating to the Dark Side.. I know in my head that the proverbial glass is half full but I can't seem to get past the idea that it is half-empty.. it drives me nuts at times.

King David had similar struggles. I think about what he wrote in the Psalms 6:
LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. Be merciful to me, LORD, for I am faint; O LORD, heal me, for my bones are in agony. My soul is in anguish. How long, O LORD, how long? Turn, O LORD, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love. No one remembers you when he is dead. Who praises you from the grave? I am worn out from groaning; all night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears. My eyes grow weak with sorrow; they fail because of all my foes. Away from me, all you who do evil, for the LORD has heard my weeping. The LORD has heard my cry for mercy; the LORD accepts my prayer. All my enemies will be ashamed and dismayed; they will turn back in sudden disgrace.
A passage like this helps me when my body hurts and soul is in distress. It is comforting to know that great people like King David struggled. Overcoming struggles is the heart of life because trials, unlike anything else, bring reality to our faith.. they can soften our hearts while toughening our faith.

Persevering 'in hope' is something that you can only experience for yourself.. it is impossible to teach it to someone else. That said, let me close with a few words from 1Corinthians 13:7.. let these words sink into your guts.. let them refresh you.. speaking of love it says..
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
When struggling in life love will cause us to trust, hope and persevere. Could it be that the heart of a trial is to test and refine our love as well as our faith?

5 comments:

  1. Could it be that the heart of a trial is to test and refine our love as well as our faith?

    On I'm sure it is, not only our love for God but our love for each other.

    "In this life ye shall have tribulation." but there is SO MUCH MORE than this life.
    Susan

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  2. Right on Bob. I think love is the obedience Jesus learned by the things he suffered.

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  3. Bob,
    That was good,yes trials can bring our faith into reality, i agree. Trials can also soften our hearts, but unfortunately, the truth is, trials can also harden hearts.

    ps I agree the heart of a trial is to test and refine our love. Absolutely. I am so thankful to have read this at the end because it confirms something that i was just reading. 1 Thessalonians with a friend and what really stood out to me - paul said in chapter 3 , he prayed in the midst of their trials, that their love would thrive, i think he said abound and increase. we were just saying how that is the one thing that Paul knew, above all others, that would and could be so great in their midst, LOVE, that love would thrive and grow amongst them (and among all men it says). By this all men shall know that you are my disciples if you have love one for another.

    God Bless,
    ruth

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  4. Regardless of where we are from we face some negativity in our lives. I know that I’m sitting in it at this moment. I also know that God will show me more of who he is in the end and I know that I will see an end, because He promises it.

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  5. Bob,
    I think we can relate so well even though we have such different life experiences.
    I struggle with my negative thoughts and I know that through the struggle & the crap that has been my life, my love has been refined and strengthened. I can tell from my reactions. There is a heart change that has come from all of the hard stuff( and trusting God that he is for me not against me) and I may not be happy all the time, but I know God Loves me and that all of these things are working together for my good ROM.8:28
    Peace Bro

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