God created humans with the ability to feel a wide range of emotions, from joyous happiness, to the darkest depression. Its a natural part of being human. Everyone has feelings, regardless of how obvious they may be. And sometimes, those feelings hurt. For some, the hurt goes on longer, and is more severe, than for others. People even take their own lives because of it, a tragedy that should absolutely never happen (see Is Suicide A Sin?). When God said, Let us make man in our image, in our likeness (Genesis 1:26), that included emotions, high and low, that God Himself experiences. What? God experiences emotions other than happiness? According to your Bible, He most certainly does e.g. When humanity became corrupt by the time of Noah, The Lord was grieved... (Genesis 6:6) Jesus Christ was as human as anyone who has ever lived. He knew joy and happiness of course, but He knew the other side as well. When Lazarus died, The Lord felt much grief (John 11:35). When He drove the money changers out of the Temple and overturned their tables, He was genuinely angry (John 2:15-17), though in a measured, self-controlled, righteous manner. He didnt just lose it. Been There, Done That During His human lifetime, The Messiah experienced the full range of human sufferings: For this reason He had to be made like His brothers in every way, in order that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that He might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted. (Hebrews 2:17-18). The prophet Isaiah described Him as a man with a heavy emotional burden: He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. (Isaiah 53:3). Did Jesus experience depression from time to time? You bet He did, and the knowledge of His coming horrible crucifixion could only have weighed heavily on His mind constantly as well (see How Did Jesus Christ Die?). The night before His execution, the stress was so severe that He said, My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. (Matthew 26:38) But today, Jesus Christ is in Eternal Glory, just as we too will be when we have completed our time here (see The Greatest Secret). Strength and Encouragement For Our Coming Glory The Holy Bible is the greatest source of encouragement and hope for humanity. The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are Gods children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs - heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. (Romans 8:16-18) (see Why Were You Born? and If You Could Create A World) But He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christs power may rest on me. That is why, for Christs sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NIV) The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His Names sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in The House of The Lord for ever. (Psalm 23:1-6 KJV) Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30) Fact Finder: How could a loving and merciful God permit all of the troubles in this world? See Why Does God Allow Suffering?
Posted on: Mon, 17 Mar 2014 16:53:52 +0000
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