Hey Friends, I want to encourage you today and let you know that you and I have so much in common. We both have and will experience pain, hurt, and loss in this life. As tough as that is to hear, it is the truth for all of us.
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I find it interesting that in John 16:33, Jesus doesn’t say, “IF you go through troubles,” He says, “WHEN you go through troubles, take heart, for I have overcome the world.” This is the hope of the gospel that GOD loves you so much that He sent His son JESUS to live on this earth, to die a death no man should deserve, to defeat death on the cross, and then rise up from the grave, so that our sins will be forgiven, and we can come into relationship with Him again. This IS what gives us the hope to know that we have a Savior in the midst of the storm.
So, WHEN you and I face the struggles of this life, we are faced with a choice. The choice to fall into the ways of the world, which ultimately leads to destruction (Romans 6:23) or we can choose to fall into the loving arms of our savior Jesus Christ, which leads us not only to life, but to an abundant life! (John 10:10)
Christianity and suffering are a package deal unfortunately. Trials and hard times can result in enormous positives, both for you and me. Life’s difficulties often draw us closer to the Father. These experiences shape our hearts and character and provide hope and support to others who may someday face a similar situation.
It’s okay to fall, but what matters is what or who you fall into.
Have you ever played the trust fall game? Life with Jesus is very similar to this. The arms of Jesus are wide open right behind you, He is ready for you, and He is waiting to catch you. It is our job to fully trust in Him, to run to Him with our pain and our hurt, and to walk in full assurance that He will hold us up.
Declaration:
My inabilities, my failures, my sufferings… these drive me to Jesus and cause me to say. I cannot… but He can! I am not… but He is! I have not… but He has!
Prayer: Dear God, I choose to fall into your arms at this moment. Life may be difficult at times, but I praise YOU because I have a Savior in the middle of the storm. I thank you for being the way, the truth, and the life, and I choose to run to you in the middle of the pain, hurt and suffering. God come and have your way in my life. I trust that you will turn all things to good. In Jesus name, Amen.
Exercise:
1. Take a moment, close your eyes… begin to picture yourself leaning back and ‘trust falling’ into the arms of Jesus. Do this in the moments throughout your day when you find yourself going through it alone in your own strength.
2. Ge a sticky note and write the words “Fall into the Arms of Jesus” and place it somewhere you would see it often.
Scripture Reference:
John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Romans 5:3-5 Not only so, but we[a] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.