​NORTH COUNTRY BAPTIST CHURCH

Magnifying Christ-

Sorrowing in Our Souls

 

 

Heartache, stress, sorrows, and sadness are everywhere. Providing for the family is hard. Raising children is complex. Having a marriage is difficult and trying. As Paul put in in II Corinthians 4, we are daily perplexed by our lives. Those inner feelings of heartache are undeniable and can't be overcome by "just being happy" or "putting on a happy face". This is our reality-life's heartaches aren't about the glass being half empty or half full...life's heartaches are about "why" the glass is half empty or half full. 

 

It's easy to want life that's full of happiness, prosperity, and simplicity, but in our hearts we know that's not reality. We can try to cultivate our lives to bring us the most happiness, the most prosperity-but then Christ isn't seen as beautiful in our lives. Happiness in circumstances, simplicity, and superficial prosperity are deadly, for, when they are strived for or focused upon, they cloak the preciousness of Christ.

 

What news did you get this week that was disappointing, hurtful, or disheartening?

 

This is your opportunity to both run to Christ and magnify Him in your sorrow. It's a beautiful opportunity. The fellowship of suffering that Paul refers to in Philippians 3:10 is precious and it is lasting. The fellowship with Christ in suffering is the deep waters that cause the roots of our life to grow deep so  we would not be torn away when the hot winds of circumstance blow.

 

God has chosen you to go through whatever you are going through. Parenting struggles, marital tensions, unmet expectations, loss of a family member, or the rejection of a friend are all divine opportunities for you to draw close to Christ so that He may be seen through you. We are tools in the Master's hand, and He is ultimately masterful in how He uses us to display His glory.

 

These next couple weeks during the summer reject the desire to see the light at the end of the tunnel of your trial-and find the deep satisfaction in Christ being with you and engaging you and shaping you in the midst of your perplexing, heartbreaking moments. You will find over time that this satisfaction will be like rain on a parched field during a drought-this fellowship with Christ will be sweeter than anything you have experienced during the great times of life.

 

Make the most of this time of sorrow-remember He is working in you so that He may work through you for His name's sake.