Joy Comes With the Morning

I haven't been writing lately because I've been in a funk. I am still grappling with this new normal. Autism has taken us to places we never wanted to go both figuratively and literally (will elaborate on this in another post).



I think it is important to take time to grieve, to think, to pray, to cry, etc... So many (many Christians included) think that we as Christians shouldn't ever dispair or don't ever dispair. That if we were trully leaning on God we would be able to be strong throughout the entire length of our suffering. I've had others imply that to me.

Really? Where does the Bible ever say that if you are leaning on God you will never be upset or angry (even angry at God)? Or that you shouldn't be so upset.

Can you see the bunny?

The Bible is filled with many very godly men and women who were brought low by their suffering. Who wailed and were angry. Who even dispaired of life itself. The Psalms are filled with this type of language and imagery (Psalm 88 especially).

Even Jesus, who knew the future, who knew He would eventually have His glory restored, was filled with sorrow and anxiety at points. The night before He was to be crucified He went to the garden of Gesemane to pray. In Matt. 26:38a Jesus says, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death..." And Jesus is called in the Bible 'a man of sorrows'. He still cried at Lazarus' death even though He knew He would raise Him to life again.

My point is it is ok to say, "I am in despair. I am almost at the point where I have no hope. Where is God? Does He even hear?". The problem is when we stop there. When we let our sufferings paralyze us so that we do not even pray anymore or study the Bible anymore.

Because while praying or reading the Word won't end our suffering, God has promised to walk with us "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10).

And it becomes a problem when we fight the hand of the Potter in molding us to be more like Christ. That is what suffereing should ultimately do, make us more like Christ. Show us the places in our lives where we have fallen short, increase our love towards other sufferers, and draw us closer to God.

When silver is made it must be put into the fire. The fire is so hot that is melts the raw silver until all the dross (impurities) rise to the top and can be skimmed off. The makers know the silver is ready when they can look into the pot and see their reflection. That is what suffering does. It brings our impurities to the surface so they can be skimmed off and we can be made more like Christ, more pure. Till others can see the reflection of Christ in us. But the process involves fire and pain. And no one likes to be in pain. All we can do (all I can do) is hold onto Christ while in the fire and know that when I have no more strength to hold on, He will hold onto me.

There is an old hymn whose words are beautiful and powerful and speaks of this very thing. I put in bold the things that really spoke to me.

How Firm A Foundation

How firm a foundation, you saints of the Lord
is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can he say than to you he has said,

to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?

"Fear not, I am with you, O be not dismayed;

for I am your God, and will still give you aid;

I'll strengthen you, help you, and cause you to stand,

upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

"When through the deep waters I call you to go,
the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
for I will be with you, your troubles to bless,
and sanctify to you your deepest distress.

"When through fiery trials your pathway shall lie,

my grace, all-sufficient, shall be your supply;

the flame shall not hurt you; I only design

your dross to consume and your gold to refine.

"Even down to old age all my people shall prove

my sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love;

and when hoary hairs shall their temples adorn,

like lambs they shall still in my bosom be borne.

"The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose,

I will not, I will not desert to his foes;

that soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,

I'll never, no never, no never forsake."

I've interspersed all these pictures I took in the flowers a few weeks ago because there are always blessings to be had even in the darkest night.

"Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning." (Psalm 30:5)