Every person experiences times of sorrow. Loss and disappointment, physical and emotional pain, misunderstandings, the consequences of unwise choices--the list goes on. Yes, some of it is self-inflicted; some of it is a part of our lives because of the choices of others; some of it is because of circumstances over which we had no control.
Yet, it is sorrow that God uses to mold us into His likeness, to take away our stubborn "need" for independence and control, to cleanse us of our sins, to--at times--open our hearts to a deeper understanding of His heart. Hosea's circumstances, for example, gave him a deeper understanding of God's broken heart and deep sorrow because of the spiritual adultery and unfaithfulness of His people. God is ever faithful to teach His children more about who He is through difficult times--to bring and to allow sorrows into our lives that He might fill us with His joy as we abide in Him, rest in His active presence in our lives knowing that He will use each totally dependent branch to bear much fruit. Joy does not take the sorrow away; but instead, refines us as fire refines gold, matures us as toil strengthens the bearer of burdens. Tears are the still waters that cause us to grow. And growth is the evidence that we are alive in Him--a tree planted by the streams of restoration and fullness--of genuine life eternal. The Christian walk is lived within the "boundaries" of sorrow and joy. Both are God's gift to us. Both deepen our reliance on Him. Both draw us near to the heart of God. Both equip us with the strength needed to do all the things that please Him. To embrace both as evidence of our sonship, as evidence of His love for us, as evidence of His promise to transform us into His gold to be spent to glorify His Name and to make known to all the richness of His Kingdom in a troubled world is to be filled with the peace that is beyond human comprehension. To think right--think as He thinks; to love right--to love as He loves, He enriches our lives with sorrow that we might know His joy.
Yet, it is sorrow that God uses to mold us into His likeness, to take away our stubborn "need" for independence and control, to cleanse us of our sins, to--at times--open our hearts to a deeper understanding of His heart. Hosea's circumstances, for example, gave him a deeper understanding of God's broken heart and deep sorrow because of the spiritual adultery and unfaithfulness of His people. God is ever faithful to teach His children more about who He is through difficult times--to bring and to allow sorrows into our lives that He might fill us with His joy as we abide in Him, rest in His active presence in our lives knowing that He will use each totally dependent branch to bear much fruit. Joy does not take the sorrow away; but instead, refines us as fire refines gold, matures us as toil strengthens the bearer of burdens. Tears are the still waters that cause us to grow. And growth is the evidence that we are alive in Him--a tree planted by the streams of restoration and fullness--of genuine life eternal. The Christian walk is lived within the "boundaries" of sorrow and joy. Both are God's gift to us. Both deepen our reliance on Him. Both draw us near to the heart of God. Both equip us with the strength needed to do all the things that please Him. To embrace both as evidence of our sonship, as evidence of His love for us, as evidence of His promise to transform us into His gold to be spent to glorify His Name and to make known to all the richness of His Kingdom in a troubled world is to be filled with the peace that is beyond human comprehension. To think right--think as He thinks; to love right--to love as He loves, He enriches our lives with sorrow that we might know His joy.
"Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven."
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