Your joy is your sorrow unmasked. And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears. And how else can it be? The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain. – Kahlil Gibran
For our light affliction, which is for the moment, works for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory… – 2 Corinthians 4:17, WEB
There are times when we may wonder if God is ever fair as we consider the suffering of many in this life. Is it fair that some are rich while others barely have something to eat? Is it fair that some are strong while others linger in a bed of sickness and pain? Is it ever fair that others enjoy the love of special people in their lives while others remain utterly cold and alone?
Indeed, if all that we have is this earthly life, everything would seem to be unjust. But in the light of eternity, we can see things in a whole new way.
Not that our knowledge of heaven could ever take away earth’s wounds today. But that this small light can give us hope, some consolation and strength, and faith to rise again each day.
There is one day we can look forward to. A day of justice and mercy. A day of fullness, of joy and of love.
In that day, it is those who have hungered who shall be filled. It is those who have grieved that shall shout unceasingly with joy!
Only then can we truly say that we have suffered but for a moment, we have been alone but for a day. And every wound our hearts have suffered have each carved out more space for happiness for us, happiness that far far outweighs all our tears and pain.
A certain beggar, named Lazarus, was laid at his gate, full of sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. Yes, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The beggar died, and he was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. – Luke 16, WEB
The thing about hope is that it’s a positive force that shines the most when it’s dark. When everything’s going well, we hardly notice it’s there. But when things go against us, when our dreams fade and when we see no immediate reprieve from our troubles, that’s when hope does its best work for us.
"Where Hope Can Be Found"