Hope in Broken Places

Hope in Broken Places

In the first Baptist Church family of Casper, there seems to be a common theme arising among many of its members recently.  Many in our body have been thrust into difficult situations, some being physical, such as the loss of family members, bodily pain and ailments or experiencing the pain of having family members with physical ailments.  Others among us are experiencing emotional, relational, and even spiritual adversity which can cause as much or more distress than some physical infirmities.

So what do we do when it seems that everything is uncertain?  How can we cope?  And is it common for a Christian to feel unsatisfied or let down with the way things are happening in this life and longing for more peace or joy?

Did God tell us anything about how to deal with this type of longing, or provide any clues that may give us insights into why we may be experiencing this type of sorrow?

In 1 Peter 2:11, Peter refers to Christians as, “sojourners and exiles” (ESV) or “aliens and strangers” as the New International Version translates it.  I believe this in someway points to the fact that this world and world system is not the Christian’s permanent home.  Suffering and difficult times often points us believers to something more, something greater, and something more permanent than what this life can offer.

 “I must keep alive in myself
the desire for my true
 country,which I shall not
find till after death; I must
never let it get snowed
 under or turned aside;
 I must make it the
main object of life to
 press on to that other
 country and to help
 others to do the same.”
 C.S Lewis, Mere Christianity

 Other biblical passages also seem to attest to why the Christian may not feel accepted or at rest while on this earth.  For example, the writer of Hebrews, after noting the faith and faithfulness of many great men and women of the Old Testament writes, “These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.  For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland.  If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return.  But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city” (Heb. 11:13-16).  The writer continues,  “…Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life.  Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment.  They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated—  of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth” (35-38, ESV).  This passage bears witness to the fact that it’s normal for believers to suffer – to experience longing, loneliness, and pain.

What about Jesus, did He have anything to say about suffering?  While Jesus was on earth He told His disciples, “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33b).  And earlier Jesus told them, “…‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’?  Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.   When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world.  So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you” (Jn. 16:19b-22).  Jesus may have been referring to his death and resurrection, when He said “you will not see me then you will see me,” however, it seems consistent to believe that Jesus could have been referring to His ascension into heaven, and then His second coming when He will take us to be with Him.

Putting all of these passages together we gain a picture of what is common or normal for a Christian to experience in this life.  Jesus forewarned His disciples (and now us) that in this world we will have difficulties.  We will have pain, suffering, tribulation, distress and experience the feeling of looking forward to something greater.  The various writers in the New and Old Testaments show us that it is common for a child of God to have a longing of something far greater while living here on earth. 

 In fact, we should feel dissatisfied with what this world can offer.  However, we don’t encounter these empty, broken feelings without HOPE.  Those who know and love God experience His presence and His comfort on this earth while still wrestling with our decaying flesh, and sinful nature.  One day we will physically be with Him, no longer having to face the pains of this life.  There, we will finally find rest and total satisfaction in our Savior.  In the meantime, I think it’s helpful to focus on this Hope we have, to set our hearts and minds on Christ and be grateful for the many blessings He’s given us in this life and in the next one – the greatest of which is the ability to be in relationship with Him!   So hang in there and don’t give up, because as my grandpa says, “life is good, but the best is yet to come.”

“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.  For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,  as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal” (2 Cor. 4:16, ESV)

~Trev