The Bottom Line, Ministries Christian News, Articles, & Poetry 
I know all things work together for good to them that love God (Romans 8:28). I know God will provide. I know that above all things, He wants me to prosper and be in good health (3 John 1:2). I know He has my best interest at heart. I also know that weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5). But KNOWING doesn’t stop reality from hurting. These facts do not make Christians immune to pain, sadness, or broken hearts.
I agree, knowing these truths equip us with the hope we need to push pass negative feelings. Such knowledge safeguards us from getting stuck in states of depression and hopelessness. Ultimately, our faith in Jesus Christ will cause us to pull ourselves together and trust God. However, initially, when the wound is fresh, even Christians hurt.
It doesn’t matter how long we have been Christians. The bottom line is that we are humans before we are Christians. This means that we’re emotional beings too; we feel sorrow and disappointment like anyone else. The world, and sometimes even other believers, has this crazy notion that at the onset of trials and tribulations, God-fearing individuals should be grinning. Now I’m not saying we can’t smile through our storms, surely we can trust God’s promises, and rest assured in His peace. Nevertheless, we shouldn’t be frowned upon for initially feeling upset or unhappy when disaster strikes.
Which parent can laugh after a child dies? Which home owner can smile after losing his/her house? Who throws a party after losing a job? Who does a happy dance after a breakup? Who explodes in songs of rejoicing after being diagnose with cancer? I’m pretty sure no one is raising a hand. Whether you’re a Christian or not, the truth is we all hurt the same. The only difference is that we’re not all hopeless.
“Blessed is the man that trust in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.” (Jeremiah 17:7)
“For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth.” (Psalm 71:5)
Yes Christians hurt, but then again while I was reading your article I kept picturing in my mind the apostles singing while they were in prison. The nice thing about being a Christian is the blessed hope we have in Christ.
You’re absolutely right though, sometimes there just doesn’t seem like there’s a band-aid big enough for what we’re going through. I’m certainly looking forward to that day when there will be no more tears from any of us. Thank you for sharing this heartfelt article. God bless. 🙂
The enemy quite effectively uses the ‘hurts’ of this life to sabotage our faith and destroy our hope. As humans we try to always make sense of our pain. Sometimes ‘making sense’ of our pain is just not possible.
I wish there was some way to transfer the complete peace, that I’ve received experienced in the midst of pain, to those who don’t have it. Living joyfully demonstrates it but there is no way to truly know how it feels until you actually have it. It is impossible to explain with mere words.
Joel, I think before the Apostles started singing they must have felt even an ounce of sadness initially. They probably missed their freedom for a moment, but when they realized that God is in control, and they’re secure in His hands, then they started rejoicing! 🙂
Melinda, the enemy indeed specializes in sabotaging our faith with life’s stress and trials. I agree, The peace of God which pass our understanding can bring comfort through difficult seasons. But we have to accept the fact that bad news brings sadness “in the beginning,” and that emotions are human instincts. It’s just a matter of transitioning into God’s rest/peace.
I thought about Job. He loses everything and yes, he rends his garments and shaves his head, but if you read the very next thing…then he fell to the ground and worshiped (Job 1:20). Something to think about because I suspect very few of us would get past the shred and shave.
I see what you mean.
Amelia,
I think you’re onto something.
That’s one way we’re tested.
I think so too Darlene. We just have to choose not to be overcome by our test, and thus find our “happy-place” in God.