Wednesday, April 19, 2023

a theology of brokenness

I take encouragement from the beatitudes. Blessed are the poor in spirit. I am poor in spirit. Blessed are those who mourn. I mourn. Blessed are the meek. I am meek. 

I've been crushed, but that's no obstacle to God. In the book of Romans it talks about how we actually rejoice in suffering because suffering requires us to persevere, which builds character, which gives us a hope that nothing can ever dash, because it's real - it's built into us. It becomes part of us. That's the meaning of suffering and that's why, contrary to what the world teaches us, suffering truly is a good thing. 

The book of Hebrews tells us to consider all the challenges we go through as discipline from God. He disciplines us because he loves us. 

Hebrews 12:10 - 11 reads:
They [our parents] disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

We go through challenges because God wants us to share in his holiness. It's always painful at the time, but it produces real strength and real life. It inevitably does that. 

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