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.
Be blessed today and always…
Amen, bless you my friend.
Iris – what a wonderful devotional. You are right. I think we sometimes even put on a front with our Christian friends. We need to be able to share, just as you\’ve said. And I think we also need to be willing to listen and encourage when someone has the courage to open up.
Iris – Before I read Linda’s comment, I thought a similar thing as what she mentioned, that most Christians aren’t authentic with each other. I’m not sure most people are authentic with anyone, even theirselves because we are often to busy to build real relationships.
Great post…and thought provoking.
So true. We must be real and authentic around everyone. Everyone needs to see the hope that is within us during the storms of life.
Thank you for this thought provoking post, Iris.
Have a blessed weekend.
Excellent post, very authentic,
What is the point of all our struggles if the source of our Hope, Joy and Peace is not glorified? Our inner and outer circle benefit in ways we may never know until we’re face to face with God.
The battle raged with authenticity is rooted in pride…at least it is with me. Yet every time I remind myself it’s NOT about me, but Thee…blessings flow.
thank you for the reminder!
Beautiful post Iris. I have always wondered when someone made such a comment to me, “If Christians have such an easy life, why isn’t everyone lined up to become Christians and experience this “easy life”? When given the opportunity I try to share that I too have my share of struggles but the difference is I don’t walk through them alone.
Wow Iris… This is a wonderful post. As I am married to an unbeliever, I am constantly facinated at how they view us. This is such great teaching and it is in the difficulties of our life that unbelievers see God. We must share our struggles and our triumphs through Christ.
Excellent. Love you.
Real faith and real display of faith leads to real conversion. We are doing a disservice if we “put on the happy face.”
Great devotional. Playing catch up here because I have been so busy. Hugs.