The Joy of Accepting Tribulation
Bad stuff will always happen and maybe that’s a good thing
A pervasive socio-cultural message is that people “deserve” happiness. Happiness and its codependent “life of ease” are the ultimate goals in life. As the ultimate goal, it does not matter how you get there, just that you do.
Oh, and “happiness” is entirely subjective. Fleeting. What determines happiness can change at any moment. If someone gets hurt along the way, it’s ok if you are happy.
I call baloney.
Life is hard, and there’s a good reason for it.
As one who counts herself “middle-aged” — at least chronologically — my husband and I reflect on our life decisions. Those discussions inevitably center around regrets and whether we would do anything differently.
We usually conclude that all those bad choices and dumb moves landed us here. And here is pretty good.
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, ESV)
Jesus said it, not me.
Tribulation. You will have.
Not just once. Jesus says tribulation will occur “in the world,” meaning it will happen…
