“And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?’ which is translated, ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?’” Mark 15:34
There has never been greater loneliness than the loneliness on the Cross. Jesus, who from eternity had been one with the Father, was separated from him. The weight of sin crushed him, causing him to be accursed. And at the height of his pain and suffering, the Father appeared to abandon him.
And while my heart breaks because of what Jesus suffered for me, I am so very, very glad that he did. Because it means that he understands. He is no distant God: immovable, unshakable, removed from the world he created. He came and walked this earth and suffered and died so that he could truly say, “Yes, I understand the pain. I understand the loneliness. I understand the grief. I have walked the same road that you are on now.”
- What does it mean to you to realize that Jesus not only intellectually understands pain and suffering and loneliness, but that he has experienced it?
- Jesus’ suffering isn’t the end of the story. His suffering qualified him for a very special role. Hebrews 2:17 affirms, “Therefore, Jesus had to be made like his brethren in all things, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest …” What does it mean to you to realize that Jesus is extending mercy to you, is faithful to you, and is interceding for you all the time?
- Likewise, your suffering isn’t the end of the story. Your suffering qualifies you for a very special role. Ask God to use your loneliness and suffering to increase your sense of compassion and mercy for others, and to deepen your ability to serve them.
© 2010 Paula Marolewski, www.SinkYourRoots.com
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“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” II Corinthians 1:3-4
“So that.” Those two little words in the above verses pack a powerful punch. When we have been the recipients of God’s comfort, we have a responsibility: a responsibility to pass on what we have received.
That means we cannot sweep our struggles under the rug and hope no one goes poking around and discovers them. Be honest: it’s often what we want to do. We want to pretend like nothing is wrong; pretend like nothing has ever been wrong. But that is actually one of the many faces of pride. We are, in essence, being too proud to admit that we have had a problem; that we have been in need of God’s grace.
On the other hand, when we obey God’s command to pass on his comfort, it takes humility. We have to admit our humanity. Our weakness. Our struggle. Our doubts. Our fears.
But by the amazing grace of God, our very humility and humanity become the source of comfort, wisdom, strength, faith, and courage for others.
So reach out. You have been given great gifts by God during the course of your struggles. Don’t hold those gifts to yourself. Pass them on.
- How has God comforted you in your struggles?
- How has God provided for you in the midst of your struggles?
- What wisdom have you gained from your struggles?
- How can you pass on what you have received to help others?
© 2010 Paula Marolewski, www.SinkYourRoots.com
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“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed…” II Corinthians 4:4-7
Afflicted. Perplexed. Persecuted. Struck down. Life does all those things to us, sapping our resources and our strength.
That is reality. It happens. The suffering is real, and intense.
But here is the greater reality: despite the affliction, through the confusion, regardless of the exhaustion, God will never let you be destroyed. He knows that we are fragile earthen vessels, and he extends “the surpassing greatness of his power” so that we will always survive, no matter what life throws at us.
- What does it mean to you to realize that intense suffering is part of this life – for everyone?
- Look back over your life: How has God’s power kept you from being crushed? How has his truth kept you from despairing? How has his presence reminded you that you are not forsaken? How has his grace prevented you from being destroyed?
© 2010 Paula Marolewski, www.SinkYourRoots.com
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