People who know the Bible know that the church is the Body of  Christ, Ephesians 1:22-23. The church is made up of people--a body of people. Human beings. People have problems. No one is free from pain forever. Sometimes we hurt physically because of disease. Sometimes we have been involved in a shattering accident. Sometimes we feel wounded by insensitive people. Sometimes a violated conscience troubles us. Sometimes we feel all alone discounted by loved ones and overlooked by God. Sometimes we are architects of our own sorrow. We disobey God and we suffer for it. Sometimes we are victims of random misfortune. Hurts can be physical, emotional or spiritual.

 

Now, what do people who know the Bible do when they hurt? Satan wants you to think that God has abandoned you. He even wants you to believe that there is no God. He wants you to cry out, "Where is God when it hurts?" He does his best to stretch your faith to the breaking point. He can beat you if he can obliterate your faith. He can beat you if he can fill your heart with fear, anxiety and panic. After Job was repeatedly assaulted by Satan, he always maintained his integrity -- "though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him" (13:15 ). Job never sinned with his mouth -- not even once! Then Satan surreptitiously attacked him through his wife, "Why do you maintain your integrity," she exploded, "Curse God and die!" After that,  his "friends" verbally tortured him with outmoded, impractical, self-destructive theology that aggravated an already excruciating situation. Job observed, "Naked came I from my mother's womb and naked shall I return. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord!" Job 1:20-22.  He also understood the vicissitudes of life when he replied, "Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" Job 1:10

 

Don't have a faith that shrinks back, Hebrews 10:38-39. A shrinking faith indicates a perishing soul. Our first resort is always praying--"Take it to the Lord in Prayer". Philippians 4:6 "Do not be anxious about anything ... present your requests to God..." Secondly, draw comfort from the Scriptures--Hebrew 13:5-6 "God has said, Never will I leave you. Never will I forsake you. So we say with confidence, The Lord is my helper. I will not be afraid".  Read the Psalms (23, 91, etc). Thirdly, give attention to these matters long before the crisis strikes. Buying a fire alarm after a building has been gutted by fire is an exercise in futility. Prepare beforehand. Get your thinking focused before the crucial hour hits you.  Note how often God delivered you from every upheaval. Realise that He is trustworthy. He won't walk out on you when the going appears to be more than you can bear. Hebrews 10:36: "You need to persevere (Eng: "hang in there") so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised."

Fourthly, surround yourself with positive people who love you and build you up, Galatians 6:1-2. Ask those who think they are the present, personal embodiment of "Job's friends" to get lost. They are pessimists! They only rob you of your peace. They steal your hope. They fill your heart with doubt. They replace faith with fear. They squeeze the joy out of the day and leave you like a drained lemon. Tell them to come back next century -- hopefully, by then, life would have taught them some positive lessons.

 

Yes, the church is a body. Like a human body, the members (the people who make it up) have highs and lows, 1 Corinthians 12. Sometimes there are wounds inflicted upon it. Sometimes "the slings and arrows" of outrageous misfortune enter uninvited. Sometimes fear finds a fissure and flows in. Sometimes death brings a welcome release. But there are wonderful, "finger lickin'" moments, too. Being united in marriage with your sweetheart. The birth of your child or your grandchild is too fabulous for words. Being chosen as a leader in the church is a moment a servant of God relishes. Seeing people become Christians in baptism puts a melody in your heart. Hearing the blending of acapella voices in praise to God transports you momentarily to heaven. Seeing a sinner "return" home puts a lump of rejoicing in your throat. Seeing your children and loved ones walking in God's way assures you of a great reunion in the skies! What could be better than that? But, I had better stop here right now, before I leave no space for news. I just love serving you folks in Christ. Hope this message helps when the future seems fragile to you. 

 

Love you all,

Al--"the Horne of Africa"

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