08252018 God's Love

Dear Missionary Lady,

Sometimes life passes through particularly challenging stages, and sometimes those challenges are not even extraordinarily difficult. The hard times of life don't have to be rooted in a family emergency, a medical crisis, an overwhelming setback, or a serious threat. Though we may be a little ashamed to admit it, sometimes the most difficult times stem simply from an accumulation or a convergence of multiple factors that in themselves are really not that significant.

For example, disappointing setbacks come in areas where we thought we were making progress. Friends cancel plans, or just completely forget about something they were going to do. An intended helpful evaluation is worded too strongly and comes across as a harsh criticism. Needs or burdens are overlooked by others. Attempts to minister to others are rebuffed. An area of ministry we had always enjoyed disappears.

Taken one at a time, such factors might cause brief disappointment or manageable pain. Taken together, the burden can be more oppressive and have lingering effect. We live in weak human bodies and are susceptible to grief, disappointment, and pain; naturally, we are affected when difficulties come.

Paul knew something about this. He wrote, "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed" (2 Corinthians 4:7-9). Granted, the struggles he faced were greater in magnitude than what most of us will ever face, but what he is talking about here is the combination of assaults from every side. He is describing the crushing oppression of multiplied trials.

The Bible has so much help for times like these, and there are many helpful directions in which we could lead our thoughts. One of my favorites is to think about the love of God. The love of God is by no means limited to providing salvation. Thank God, it includes that! But God continues to love us every day throughout our entire lives. As His children, He cares deeply for our needs. So when we are in a time of struggle, disappointment, and pain, - when we particularly want someone to care - He does.

I habitually sing this simple song to myself:

"Jesus loves me, this I know,
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong;
They are weak, but He is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me.
Yes, Jesus loves me.
Yes, Jesus loves me,
The Bible tells me so."

Because it is so familiar, this song doesn't require a high level of concentration, making it is easy to sing even while in the midst of handling tasks and living life. I often sing it over and over, letting its truth calm and comfort me. The fact that it is considered a children's song and talks about "little ones" doesn't bother me. In fact, I change the words to match my situation. I might sing "lonely ones" or "hurting ones" or "older ones." Whatever words we might fill in - "busy moms" or "serving ones" - the song is still true. We belong to Him, we are weak, and He loves us.

Another favorite of mine, "Loved With Everlasting Love," is a little more complex, but reminds me of the same powerful truth.

"Loved with everlasting love, Led by grace that love to know;

Spirit, breathing from above, Thou hast taught me it is so!
Oh, this full and perfect peace! Oh, this transport all divine!
In a love which cannot cease, I am His and He is mine.

Heaven above is softer blue, Earth around is sweeter green –

Something lives in every hue, Christless eyes have never seen.
Birds with gladder songs o’erflow, Flowers with deeper beauties shine,
Since I know, as now I know, I am His, and He is mine.

Things that once were wild alarms Cannot now disturb my rest,
Closed in everlasting arms, Pillowed on the loving breast.
Oh, to lie forever here, Doubt and care and self resign,
While He whispers in my ear – I am His, and He is mine.

His forever, only His; Who the Lord and me shall part?
Ah, with what a rest of bliss, Christ can fill the loving heart!
Heaven and earth may fade and flee, First born light in gloom decline,
But while God and I shall be, I am His, and He is mine."

God loves me. I belong to Him. His love makes everything better. His love can carry me through any struggle. His arms will hold me and His words will speak to me. This wonderful love will never end and will never fail.

These songs are so helpful because the central truth comes straight from the Bible. "As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love" (John 15:9). "And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God" (Ephesians 3:19). "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?" (Romans 8:35). "Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work" (2 Thessalonians 2:16).

When we rest in God's love, we can go on. Our situation may still be difficult, as Paul's was, but it will not be impossible. God's power can work through us to accomplish His plans. What you do today matters for eternity, and God's love will help you do it even when life is challenging.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt
member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA
Archived letters: www.dearmissionarylady.blogspot.com.
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