Not Keeping the Secret
“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. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.”
~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 (ESV)
I had once an unbeliever tell me: “You Christians have an easy life. You don’t suffer like we do!” To be honest with you, I was stunned to hear that. I didn’t know how to respond to that.
Do we really make unbelievers believe that there is nothing wrong in our life? Do we hide our material problems so well that others can not see the pain on our faces? Do we not share our struggles we have raising our children? Do we really keep silent about the cancer that is raging in our body or the body of our beloved? Do we not let others know when their words hurt us? I think that we are only ‘comfortable’ sharing our pain, hurt, struggles and sickness within our own ‘circle’.
I truly believe that we need to make our faith real to the ones that are not in the ‘circle’ yet. We need to start sharing with conviction that our life is not easier, but that our strength, peace, and comfort come from one source—Jesus Christ.
Next time someone tells me that my life is so much easier, I will share. I will share how angry I was at God that He took my earthly father way to soon. I will admit that God had to change my heart to make me a better wife. I will not pretend that it was easy to raise our son. I will tell the story of a dear friend of mine who died of cancer—who never doubted that Christ was the ultimate Healer. I will speak up when someone has an unkind word with me…
How about you? Will you make your faith real to the ones who are not in the ‘circle’ yet? I pray you do. He alone is our source of strength, why keep it a secret?
“If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.”
~ 2 Corinthians 1:6-7 (ESV)
Lord of Heaven and Earth. Next time someone makes the statement that my life is so much easier, help me to share. Help me to share that I still struggle with the things that happen in my life, that I hurt just the same. Help me to point to my source of strength—the strength You have given me through Your son, Jesus Christ. In the strong name of Jesus I pray ~ Amen.
Blessings to your Monday and as always…
How true and something I haven’t been thinking about when I keep telling someone close to me “you need to go to church” every time she shares her struggles. I will be sure to enclude you will still have struggles but with God you have comfort. Thanks for sharing
Amen Iris! May we be honest in our pain and joy and loving in sharing it. May we be real with those around us. May God get the glory.
amen.
Amen dear Iris.
This is one area I didn’t realize I was guilty in until a friend of mine pointed out that though she confided in me constantly, I never confided in her…
Ever since, being real has become so much more important to me, and has enriched my relationships with my non-believing or newly believing friends. Kind of smacks my pride in the face too. That’s a good thing.
AMEN! WHY do we feel like we have to walk around acting like we have it all together? It’s just ridiculous. We are still real people. We have pain, unfulfilled desires, unrealized dreams. Bad stuff happens to us. We have HOPE. That is the difference. Loved this post.
I agree Iris. When we share the reality of life with unbelievers, the pain, the horrible parts of life and how we cope, Jesus is our source. That is REAL witness. Honest, brutal but real. That is what the world needs. A REAL Jesus.
Powerful post. Thank you
So true, Iris! It’s a big motivation for me to blog otherwise I would probably stop.
Great post!
Great exhortation to be transparent, Iris.
Amen Amen Amen! Help me to share….and give me the words to say!!!