Light Afflictions, a world in pain.

Happy New Year Readers!

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. -2 Corinthians 4:17-18 NKJV

Do you know that feeling, where you're marching up and down like a prowling lion, and finally you put one fist on your hip in frustration and the second fist is raised and shaking in the air; while your whole being is filled with pain and anger? Usually in these moments there might be tears dripping down your face and you're telling...well more like accusing God things like this: "How could you let this happen..." or "I can't believe you did this!" or "why,why have you forsaken me...?"

Starting to sound familiar? i thought it might! I myself have done the whole self-pity gig, but it never ever helped that's for sure. So if you're nodding acknowledging it , that's great! If you're like "who-me? pfft!" then you're most likely in denial...or you do it so often you can't see it anymore. These are but simple snap-shots of our "woe-is-me" tales where we look up at the clear blue (sometimes gray) expanse of the sky and deem it impossible  for God to know a smidgen of what goes on down here.

We scream that he doesn't know what it feels like to be human, but worst we entirely discount that he's with us at all. I get it, seriously I do! It's easier when we're hurting to have someone come along, even if we're knee-deep in radical sin, we like to have people rebuffing the fact that we're at an all- time- wrong. We like self-pity and indulgence, therefore a wrong sympathizer is more than welcomed, but I can't agree with that, I see nowhere in the Bible that says something like this: "When thy brother is in sin...thou shalt tell him that he doth no evil..."  or another way of saying it ("when your brother is sin, you should not tell him that he is doing something wrong") yea, no, nothing like that in the Bible...that's for sure. The bible tells us the opposite it says:

"Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother.- Matthew 18:15

So we shouldn't be bad sympathizers like Job's friends, but i digress.
My point is all feel that way at some point even the stronger Christians, if you don't believe me, let's have a bit of a look at what the Bible says;

"And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”- Mark 15:34

Now Jesus felt forsaken on this earth, Okay, this might not sound as momentous as it does for me right now as i am writing this, but i noticed just how easily it is for us to forget that Jesus who is God; came as a human being filled with emotions. He felt exactly what we felt, saw the things we deal with today...that's huge! It's so easy to see our circumstances and think, yea i got it so bad, no one else's pain could ever compare...uh wrong attitude my friend! Now Jesus came as 100% Human and 100% God...and he felt forsaken in the ninth hour by the heavenly father...re-read that line if you must, because that's huge. And yet Jesus being so sorrowful trusted in God, here have a look:

"Then they came to a place which was named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” And He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed. Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch.” He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will."- Mark 14:32-35 NKJV

Jesus felt so sorrowful unto death, he knew that he would suffer the worst imaginable death, a death so vile and horrible it was only men who committed the worst of offences who were nailed on the tree. Can you imagine knowing the way you were going to die? I don't think i'd ever have a proper night sleep! Not only that but he had 12 disciples, Judas the betrayer left which meant 11 were with him, and most of us with 11 christian friends with us when in trouble would be like "oh man, I'm so glad, they have my back." but the disciples upon Jesus' arrest this is what they did:

"Then they all forsook Him and fled."- Mark 14:50 NKJV

Ouch. Yet despite that pain that was afflicted on Jesus, he yet died and rose again for us! I can't judge the disciples for fleeing- we're all on fight or flight mode, yet as the Bible says all that has been done in evil, the Lord will turn it to Good. Man, I Love Jesus, what God would willingly do this for anyone!? he is the one true God! thank you Jesus, I'm sorry i don't say it often enough!

So...can you dispute that Jesus truly does not know what we face on earth? can you truly hands-down say he has no idea how we feel? I'll let you answer that for yourself.

Now the first verse i wrote at the beginning about the 'Light' afflictions' The apostles were men who gave it all for Jesus Christ, our LORD and Saviour. They endure, beatings, floggings etc... all things that today would make us dramatically throw our hands in the air and scream "I QUIT!" but they kept going, how about we try this on for size, i just really want you to understand what I'm saying here;
On a website (link at the bottom) it tells you how the Apostles died, I'll share some now:

 Peter died 33-34 years after the death of Christ. All agree that he was crucified. Origen says that Peter felt himself to be unworthy to be put to death in the same manner as his Master, and was therefore, at his own request, crucified with his head downward. 

James the son of Zebedee: He was put to death by Herod Agrippa I shortly before the day of the Passover, in the year 44 or about 11 years after the death of Christ. From Acts 12: 1-2.

John: No death date given by early writers. Death date is by conjecture only and is variously assigned as being between 89 AD to 120 AD Andrew: No accurate death date given. A variety of traditions say he preached in Scythia, in Greece, in Asia Minor and Thrace. He is reported to have been crucified at Patrae in Achaia. 

Bartholomew: There is no information concerning his death, not even by tradition Matthew: He must have lived many years as an apostle, since he was the author of the Gospel of Matthew which was written at least twenty years after the death of Christ. There is reason to believe that he stayed for fifteen years at Jerusalem, after which he went as missionary to the Persians, Parthians and Medes. There is a legend that he died a martyr in Ethiopia. 

Thomas: The earlier traditions, as believed in the fourth century, say he preached in Parthia or Persia, and was finally buried at Edessa. The later traditions carry him farther east. His martyrdom whether in Persia or India, is said to have been by a lance, and is commemorated by the Latin Church on December 21 the Greek Church on October 6, and by the Indians on July 1.

Jude (Thaddeus): according to tradition Jude taught in Armenia, Syria and Persia where he was martyred. Tradition tells us he was buried in Kara Kalisa in what is now Iran. -

See more at: http://amazingbibletimeline.com/bible_questions/q6_apostles_die/

And yet with all that these men faced, they called it light afflictions...how can we possibly think that we have it tough. They were Martyrs but died with Christ Jesus' name on their lips, praying, loving those who yearned for their blood... that's amazing. Paul died by decapitation, and his parting words to Timothy are those that drive us today:

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.-2 Timothy 4:7

Let this be our boast, so when you feel like having a self- pity party just remember that Christ knows what you're going through and is right there with you and that he promised you;

...“I will never leave you nor forsake you.”- Hebrew 13:5

 Life is tough, but Jesus is there and just remember what we have to look forward to:

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Revelations 21:4

Oh man...that's definitely something to look forward to!

Dear heavenly father, thank you Jesus for everything that you are, thank you for loving me even though i don't deserve it. Thank you for never giving up on me, my Lord Christ Jesus...you amaze me, forever you own my heart, I love you Jesus Christ.
Amen

God bless you,
Emmeline