There shall be no more death,
nor sorrow, 
nor crying. 
There shall be no more pain,
for the former things have passed away.
Revelations 21:4

The confidence we have as Christians is that God has something good planned for us.  Suffering was not part of His original act of creation, but it serves as a temporary reminder of what happens in a world where God's order has been broken.  It also motivates us to spread the word about God's plan to redeem the world from the suffering caused by sin.


Although we cannot avoid pain and disappointment "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer ; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33), we know that it's only temporary.  Some sorrow will be relieved in this life, but all of it will be relieved when God finally and firmly establishes His new heaven and new earth.


"And I saw new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away ; and there was no more a sea."
Revelations 21:1

(Julie Ackerman Link)

Even though many of us have not experienced suffering caused through illness, one is never sure what tomorrow may bring.  My mother had good health all her life, until the last 5 years when she has suffered from a range of problems that made her almost housebound.  The stroke a couple of years ago resulted in the need of a full-time carer (my dad) and limited her activities even more due to her physical disabilities.  Her whole lifestyle changed.  As a Christian woman, she knows that her current suffering is only temporary and that there is a home prepared for her in heaven, where there will be no tiredness, pain, sadness and sorrow. 


Our Heavenly Father is waiting . . .


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Comments

  1. This is a very encouraging post Jo. It is so true... I think of the scripture that says our present sufferings are nothing compared to the glory that is yet to come.

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  2. Amanda - I think having a very long illness would test even the stronger Christian at times and temporary may not feel that temporary at all. It is hard to imagine when I have good health at the moment.

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  3. Yes, I agree Jo... I am sure that our hope in Him is all that gets even the strongest, most tested Christian through. I hope I didn't sound flippant with my comment. The illness your mother went through is no minor thing. My husband nurses people who have had strokes etc and he constantly speaks of their distress and helplessness.

    I am glad that your Mother knows the Lord so well, as I am sure that is the anchor she clings too, as would your Dad. It is horrible to think of the people my husband cares for as most of them don't believe in the Lord at all. What a scary place.

    I made my first comment and had to go attend to something urgently, and couldn't finish what I had in my heart to say. I came back to say a little more.

    When I see the photos of your parents, I can see clearly, they are precious saints of His. I pray His stength and joy would continue to wash over them during these difficult days. What a merciful God He is!

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  4. No I didn't think you were being flippant -I was thinking more about what I had written eg it is easy for me say illness it only temporary but for those suffering it must be very difficult. There are days when mum would like to wake up in heaven as it all gets a bit too much.

    I can't imagine what terminal illness is like for someone who doesn't believe. Your husband must find it heartbreaking at times.

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  5. The knowledge that suffering here in this world is temporary sometimes doesn't help at all. Watching my mother suffer all those years... then losing her to that illness... watching my sister suffer... then having chronic illness myself (which I know is not half as bad as what a lot of people suffer)... Sometimes it is easy to cling to the promises God gives us in His Word. Sometimes it is easy to remember that this suffering in this world is but a flash in the pan.
    But other times it seems like it will never end. Time stretches out ahead of you and it just feels like forever. Sometimes it is easy to wish for this life to be over with all its pain and sorrow...
    But when the dark clouds of weariness and sorrow part, there are so many blessings to see and count and remember. So many good things to lighten our load and brighten our path - and it is a merciful God who gives us those times, because without them it would be hard to cling to any hope of good and happiness!

    Chronic illness almost always comes with some measure of depression, and even when we know all the comforting Words the Scriptures have to offer us, the burden is heavy and hard to release.

    Thank you for the encouraging words today, Jo.

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  6. Clara, I was thinking of your mother when I wrote this as she went through so many years of suffering. She was a remarkable woman and a shining light of Gods precious love and tender care.

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  7. Something that amazed me about my mother was that I can only remember one time that she seemed to be depressed. She would get down at times, but MOST of the time she would be smiling; she just wasn't the depressive type.

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  8. This past year has been the hardest of my life and I know the things I suffer are *nothing* compared to what others suffer.

    Just reading your latest post (right above this one) about your rearranging your living room made me a little sad. I remember when I loved to do things like that but now I can't.

    But your post is a very good reminder, thank you for the encouragement. (o:

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