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?