We Wish Life Wasn't So Painful
Sunday Psalm 8.18.24
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Father God Lord Jesus Holy Spirit We present ourselves before You again this Sunday. We come, once again, to be reminded That even though life is hard, You are good and your love is The foundation on which we can build. We carry hurts from others’ sin against us. We carry regret for our own sin. Life is so hard we can doubt your tender heart. But You ask us to trust You, regardless. Even as You expect a lot from us, You enable us. You convict us about people we need to forgive. And as we wrestle with You And grieve our losses because of their sin, You give us power to release Our hands that grip their throats. Many of us struggle every day. Some of us remember days of terror. Everyone contends with something, From the daily irritations to the life altering Pain of divorce, abuse, serious illness, death. You are walking with us but We wish life wouldn’t be so painful. A part of us might be angry with You. But here we are, knowing that only You Have the words of life. We will never give up trusting. There’s always more to trust to your heart. And the best will soon arrive. Glory awaits. Amen.
Hi Karen,
I love your practical and spiritual theology. You work to avoid the pitfalls of simple answers:
---You don't practice mere "power of positive thinking" because you share the realities of personal pain
---But you also don't remain in the pain alone, you join that reality (of pain) with the other reality of God's goodness, love, and power.
You hold suffering and God's love in the one hand of Hope.
You also freely admit our sin (against God and others) AND you remind of of sins others commit commit against us. (Too many people want to ignore "sin" altogether.)
And you close with the mystery of God: "There is always more" about God that we do not know. Yet!
Sam