I was asked not long ago by a friend via facebook whether I resented my health problems, and after some reflection I answered that no, I don't.
I don't resent them, as numerous as they are, because the health problems have brought me closer to God. With cancer scares, heart issues..each that is, in mortal terms, very serious, there was a moment of fear at the onset of the diagnosis and then acceptance. When you stop and ponder how fleeting this life is (some die in car accidents in their teen years, or cancer takes a young mother of two) you focus your mind on what lays beyond this mortal coil. For tomorrow isn't promised to me, or to you, and what happens when you must leave this life? There are those who do their best to ignore the fact that death awaits, but that is like standing in the middle of train tracks ignoring the rushing locomotive charging towards you. When you can recognize that this life is finite and your time not guaranteed you learn to cherish each day, and revel in the small moments and pleasures of each day. You learn to love deeper, express your feelings more often, relish sunny days and quiet nights, play more freely, smile more frequently.
That is, you do all the above if you are at peace with what lays beyond death's door. If you think this life is all you have then death by accident, or cancer, or chance seems terribly unfair- something to rail futilely against. If you think there may be something else...but aren't sure what, the uncertainty eats at your peace and the thought of mortality creeps into your mind at unwanted times.
A faith in Christ answers the questions and fear of eternity. He promises salvation, by being the atoning sacrifice that pays the cost for your sins. For the Bible says that without faith in Christ, and the payment of your sins against God's law and nature, then you cannot spend eternity with God. (It always amazes me that people who do not want to buy into the Christian faith want to buy into the idea of heaven existing for everyone...why would a non-Christian be allowed into a Christian afterlife?)
But Christ has given you the means of salvation:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
—John 3:16-17
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
—John 14:6
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
—Romans 6:23
Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
—Romans 10:9-13
And when we have accepted Christ, and what He has done for us, and when we have proclaimed He is Lord and given our heart to Him...something happens. Something wonderful.
He comes to abide with us. John 15:4 tells us Christ taught: " Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. "
Abide, in the dictionary, is defined as:
: to remain stable or fixed in a state
: to continue in a place :
The definition I liked the best said, "to wait or remain patiently." Christ is telling us to remain in Him, in His Word, patiently, resting, continuing and that if we do that then something miraculous will happen. He will come to abide in us. He will rest in our hearts, in our will and being.
If we rest-live-continue in the heart of Christ, He will enter our hearts and take up residence. We get the better of that arrangement by far! For when Christ abides in us (and we in Him) fruits of faith spring from our lives. Peacefulness, contentment, love for our neighbors, grace, mercy, compassion- Christ brings all these and more into our lives.
We are able, in our moments of weakness and fear, to draw from His strength- for He lends it to us. Our joy is made deeper because it flows with the joy of God. Our love is richer because God's love is intermixed with it. God gives to us, if we seek it, His guidance and wisdom, because we abide in Christ. Our burdens can be given over to Him, and His mercy and compassion given back to us. The divine nature enfolds us and holds us close- how treasured we are!
Not only has Christ given us the means of eternal salvation, but of earthly comfort, love and nourishment. When we are faced by the storms of this life; be they health problems, financial woes, betrayal by friends, or weather disasters-- we can rely on God when we abide in Him. We have God's peace when there are storms, God's guidance when we have questions, and God's joy in our accomplishments and joys. We learn to see life's storms as chances to draw closer to God and to those we love- and even though the storms have rough moments, we can look back at them and see they were blessings.
Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him
That is one of my very favorite verses in the Bible- for it reminds me that whatever I am going through, it will work in the end for my good. That the storm I am in, God will use it to draw me closer to Him and turn it for my benefit. That the storm ahead- God is already there.
Are you abiding in God? Your faith cannot flourish unless you abide in God- that is where your strength comes from, where your peace comes from, where your contentment springs from. Without abiding, your faith will wither. Seek the heart of God, rest in His Word, revel in His peace. For when you are abiding, all things turn into blessings, all things into joy.
-Beth Butler
I don't resent them, as numerous as they are, because the health problems have brought me closer to God. With cancer scares, heart issues..each that is, in mortal terms, very serious, there was a moment of fear at the onset of the diagnosis and then acceptance. When you stop and ponder how fleeting this life is (some die in car accidents in their teen years, or cancer takes a young mother of two) you focus your mind on what lays beyond this mortal coil. For tomorrow isn't promised to me, or to you, and what happens when you must leave this life? There are those who do their best to ignore the fact that death awaits, but that is like standing in the middle of train tracks ignoring the rushing locomotive charging towards you. When you can recognize that this life is finite and your time not guaranteed you learn to cherish each day, and revel in the small moments and pleasures of each day. You learn to love deeper, express your feelings more often, relish sunny days and quiet nights, play more freely, smile more frequently.
That is, you do all the above if you are at peace with what lays beyond death's door. If you think this life is all you have then death by accident, or cancer, or chance seems terribly unfair- something to rail futilely against. If you think there may be something else...but aren't sure what, the uncertainty eats at your peace and the thought of mortality creeps into your mind at unwanted times.
A faith in Christ answers the questions and fear of eternity. He promises salvation, by being the atoning sacrifice that pays the cost for your sins. For the Bible says that without faith in Christ, and the payment of your sins against God's law and nature, then you cannot spend eternity with God. (It always amazes me that people who do not want to buy into the Christian faith want to buy into the idea of heaven existing for everyone...why would a non-Christian be allowed into a Christian afterlife?)
But Christ has given you the means of salvation:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
—John 3:16-17
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
—John 14:6
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
—Romans 6:23
Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
—Romans 10:9-13
And when we have accepted Christ, and what He has done for us, and when we have proclaimed He is Lord and given our heart to Him...something happens. Something wonderful.
He comes to abide with us. John 15:4 tells us Christ taught: " Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. "
Abide, in the dictionary, is defined as:
: to remain stable or fixed in a state
: to continue in a place :
The definition I liked the best said, "to wait or remain patiently." Christ is telling us to remain in Him, in His Word, patiently, resting, continuing and that if we do that then something miraculous will happen. He will come to abide in us. He will rest in our hearts, in our will and being.
If we rest-live-continue in the heart of Christ, He will enter our hearts and take up residence. We get the better of that arrangement by far! For when Christ abides in us (and we in Him) fruits of faith spring from our lives. Peacefulness, contentment, love for our neighbors, grace, mercy, compassion- Christ brings all these and more into our lives.
We are able, in our moments of weakness and fear, to draw from His strength- for He lends it to us. Our joy is made deeper because it flows with the joy of God. Our love is richer because God's love is intermixed with it. God gives to us, if we seek it, His guidance and wisdom, because we abide in Christ. Our burdens can be given over to Him, and His mercy and compassion given back to us. The divine nature enfolds us and holds us close- how treasured we are!
Not only has Christ given us the means of eternal salvation, but of earthly comfort, love and nourishment. When we are faced by the storms of this life; be they health problems, financial woes, betrayal by friends, or weather disasters-- we can rely on God when we abide in Him. We have God's peace when there are storms, God's guidance when we have questions, and God's joy in our accomplishments and joys. We learn to see life's storms as chances to draw closer to God and to those we love- and even though the storms have rough moments, we can look back at them and see they were blessings.
Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him
That is one of my very favorite verses in the Bible- for it reminds me that whatever I am going through, it will work in the end for my good. That the storm I am in, God will use it to draw me closer to Him and turn it for my benefit. That the storm ahead- God is already there.
Are you abiding in God? Your faith cannot flourish unless you abide in God- that is where your strength comes from, where your peace comes from, where your contentment springs from. Without abiding, your faith will wither. Seek the heart of God, rest in His Word, revel in His peace. For when you are abiding, all things turn into blessings, all things into joy.
-Beth Butler
