It’s in our human nature to want life to be smooth and happy; always desiring to have enough money, fun friends and good health. But the amount of spiritual growth that happens during these times is minimal.
Solomon stated it well when he said, “It is better to go to a house of mourning than a house of feasting.” (Ecclesiastes 7:2-4)
The times of grief and sadness that hit so hard seem to make our lives stop! Time stands still and draws us to our knees. We cry out to God, “Why has this happened, Lord? How am I to move forward? Please, God, be my strength and my comfort. Help me to grow in character as I persevere.”
Before we know it, we are experiencing a closeness with God that we had been missing at “the house of feasting.” We feel like Hagar in the Bible that “KNEW that God saw her.” And strange as it seems, we can be alone, but not feel alone, as His warm presence comforts us deeply. Our trust and faith in God grows, and strength rises up within us. People make comments that we “seem peaceful” and we know it is not of ourselves, but God in us.
Jesus calls us to the “fellowship of His suffering,” not because He is cruel, but because He desires that we grow and become imitators of Him and His character. He also “takes us to His banqueting table where His banner over us is love,” and the joy is all that much greater because He has held us through the fires.
May we not avoid the difficult times, but enter that house with faith that God is with us in it. And just know, when the lessons of that rugged schoolhouse have been learned, He has a joyous feast waiting…
Comments