I made a rediscovery recently. I'll have to explain the circumstances before I can make my point. Christians are a peculiar people bound to a peculiar destiny. We know the end of the story. We know God's victory is a foregone conclusion. So therefore, most of us assume we've got no business with thinking on anything negative, even going so far as to not acknowledge reality in certain areas.
My recent experience has taught me that there is nothing like chronic, debilitating pain to "shake loose" any misconceptions we harbor. When you're in pain, you don't worry about esoteric concepts like self esteem, success strategies, or even courtesy. In fact, you're unable to control your self and your emotions at all. Your whole being becomes focused on the one thing, the pain. All pretense of happiness fades away..........(but wait! There's more!)
When it is too hard to bear, God has given us permission to grieve! (Read the book of Job.) If we cannot grieve, then our hearts will turn to stone. If we try to keep our hearts free of fear and anger, rigid and unyielding, then we actually get stuck there, instead.
My point is, if you cannot surrender, then you cannot be delivered. If you cannot give up your life, then you cannot truly live life. If you will not allow yourself to feel terror, then you cannot acknowledge hope. True meaning will not be found in the absence of suffering, but because of it.
In the strength of Christ, who overcame the world, we too will win! That is the ultimate reality! In the same way that we commit ourselves to participate when He allows us to suffer, we will also share in His joy, and the victory is so much sweeter for the price that was paid! Only in Him, is it possible to confess our pain and His victory at the same time, and live joyfully in anticipation with expectations of grace.
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