July 5th, 2023
Thursday, July6
No Immunity To Suffering
By: Lori Ennis
When I became a mother, I went into the hospital with the most profound joy I’d ever known. I was about to FINALLY know what it felt like to hold a child of my own in my arms.
And then…the next day brought unbearable sorrow as he died and I never even got to hold him.
I felt like the world had lost every inkling of any joy it ever would have again. I had no answers for why my child was gone, and why the Father who loved me let it happen.
I still don’t.
Over the years, though, that sharp, initial sting of raw loss has moved more into a deep ache—a piece of my heart that is forever missing. But still, in the years since, the joy of the Lord has been mine. It’s not a joy this world could ever offer, but a quiet, resilient joy that clings to hope in Him and His Peace.
God promises joy in the morning, and in His mercy, restored my joy, but this did not make me immune to further sorrow. I’d like to think that I’ve had my one traumatic life event and then I get to live happily ever after in His restoration and renewal. Being in that restoration and redeemed pain is a sweet place to be.
But that’s not life.
Life has continued to hold its share of valleys –fractured relationships, dreams unfulfilled and paths I’d rather not have to take. Yet, in every trial, in every tear, the presence of God remains constant. Even when my joy seemed clouded by fresh sorrow, His goodness has remained unwavering.
God is good. He’s unchanging. His words from Isaiah 43:2 have become a lifeline, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you." In the flood of sorrow and in the drought of pain, God promises His presence. Over and over and over again.
If you feel like you’ve clawed your way back to happiness and joy after trauma or tragedy, and wonder why you’re having to face more heartache in something else, remember that though we are promised trials, we're also promised victory. We're foretold of sorrow, but we're guaranteed joy. And this joy is anchored not in our circumstances, but in our God. Hallelujah!
No Immunity To Suffering
By: Lori Ennis
When I became a mother, I went into the hospital with the most profound joy I’d ever known. I was about to FINALLY know what it felt like to hold a child of my own in my arms.
And then…the next day brought unbearable sorrow as he died and I never even got to hold him.
I felt like the world had lost every inkling of any joy it ever would have again. I had no answers for why my child was gone, and why the Father who loved me let it happen.
I still don’t.
Over the years, though, that sharp, initial sting of raw loss has moved more into a deep ache—a piece of my heart that is forever missing. But still, in the years since, the joy of the Lord has been mine. It’s not a joy this world could ever offer, but a quiet, resilient joy that clings to hope in Him and His Peace.
God promises joy in the morning, and in His mercy, restored my joy, but this did not make me immune to further sorrow. I’d like to think that I’ve had my one traumatic life event and then I get to live happily ever after in His restoration and renewal. Being in that restoration and redeemed pain is a sweet place to be.
But that’s not life.
Life has continued to hold its share of valleys –fractured relationships, dreams unfulfilled and paths I’d rather not have to take. Yet, in every trial, in every tear, the presence of God remains constant. Even when my joy seemed clouded by fresh sorrow, His goodness has remained unwavering.
God is good. He’s unchanging. His words from Isaiah 43:2 have become a lifeline, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you." In the flood of sorrow and in the drought of pain, God promises His presence. Over and over and over again.
If you feel like you’ve clawed your way back to happiness and joy after trauma or tragedy, and wonder why you’re having to face more heartache in something else, remember that though we are promised trials, we're also promised victory. We're foretold of sorrow, but we're guaranteed joy. And this joy is anchored not in our circumstances, but in our God. Hallelujah!
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