May 11, 2020
Life is Difficult
“In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world” John 16:33
I mentioned in a sermon in February that the very opening line in the first chapter of psychiatrist Scott Peck’s well-known book, “The Road Less Traveled” are the words:
“Life is difficult. This is a great truth, one of the greatest truths. It is a great truth because once we truly see this truth, we transcend it. Once we truly know that life is difficult-once we truly understand and accept it----then life is no longer difficult. Because once it is accepted, the fact that life is difficult no longer matters.”
The level of difficulty in life today seems to have set a new standard of difficulty for everybody, however, in varying degrees. Staying at home, social distancing, paying fastidious attention to washing your hands, and not touching things you would normally touch have become what we might perceive as difficult, but more isolating and inconvenient than anything else.
But for the many who have contracted the virus and have become seriously ill and the families who have lost ones the degree of difficulty has soared to what was previously unimaginable, as it has for the tens of millions of people who find themselves unemployed, and the companies and small businesses that face bankruptcy and/or closure.
But as Jesus said, “In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
Once we start with the premise that life is difficult then life is no longer difficult, as Scott Peck said. No matter the conditions or circumstances we become that much better equipped to handle challenges, no matter the degree, because we accept that precondition.
And as Christians we draw strength from the presence of Christ in our lives to give us courage and to finally help us overcomethe world’s tribulation.
Prayer: Gracious God, help us to understand that life is never absent of difficult times. We come to You for assurance that the strength of Your companionship will help see us through this tough and trying period. Amen.
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