Today's Lectionary TextPsalm 119:71It is good for me that I was humbled, 2 Corinthians 1:3-5Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are abundant for us, so also our consolation is abundant through Christ.  Today's Devotional
It seems our society avoids reality … a lot. We have our perfect teeth, our perfect physiques, and our perfect treats (no bad things in them, of course). And we live our perfect lives with no trace of any negativity which would impinge on our wonderful life. Yet, this mentality is unreal and contrary to Scripture. Throughout the Bible we read about evil and harshness, sickness and plague, and death. That is our reality … and our dread.
Yet, we, as Christ-followers, are a resurrection people! We see past death to the eternal life just beyond. We do not discount pain or death; we just are not imprisoned by them. Our Lord has scars, experienced pain, and died to rise again. It is not unreasonable to say that we shall experience them as well. Two Scriptures, among many, come to my mind which help me to put pain and its buddies in perspective. The first comes from Psalm 119. The psalmist spoke of how it was good (say “what?”) that I was afflicted. C.S. Lewis wrote, “Pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” It seems only in the dark night of the soul can we see the light of God clearly and distinctly. It is one thing to experience profound pain and another as to what to do with it. Again, scripture shows us how we may respond. We believe that nothing is wasted in God’s economy and this is true with pain. In 2 Corinthians 1 we see that our pain is not only for us but is a tool to comfort others. In a sense, we encourage another in their pain that it will be OK. We inspire in them hope, faith and love to stay close to God’s heart of love for them. That is the best place to be in pain.Prayer for ReflectionI (Jesus) will not leave you comfortless. I will send the Holy Spirit. All will be well. I (God) give to My beloved even in their sleep. Amen.
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