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Writer's pictureDebbie Berry

Pain. Sorrow. Grief. Misery. Hurt. Suffering. Agony. Heartbreak. It’s everywhere. It is not a respecter of persons. It comes unexpectedly and stays without welcome. It happens to anybody, anywhere, at any time. For those of us who are fortunate enough to know Jesus, we turn to him for comfort, defense, hope, and peace. He is Mighty to Save and Mighty to Heal. And heal and save he does. But sometimes the healing and saving seem to take forever. At least until the symptoms are gone and we feel better.

The Wizard of Oz said it best. “Hearts will never be practical until they can be made unbreakable.” In the meantime, we bear burdens we don’t want, sometimes our own; sometime those of a friend. Sometimes a bunch of them ride our shoulders all at once until we feel we can not bear them any longer.

I remember a phrase my father used many times, particularly if he was talking about money. He would say, “Easy come. Easy Go.” But it seems to me it is mostly “Easy Come.” These pains, these sorrows, they come so readily and easily. And they won’t go away when we want them to.

I shake my head in disbelief over how much pain there is in this world, even just in my own little personal circle of family, friends, and acquaintances. Yet, with all the sorrow that comes our way so easily, there are many people out there who want to hurt you more. Somehow they feel better when they can make someone else hurt. A counselor once told me, “who hurts people? Hurting people.”

People do such terrible, hurtful things to other people. I recall a pastor saying one time, “people are hurting bad enough already. They don’t need you to beat them up anymore than they already are.” Truer words could not be spoken.

“There is nothing new under the sun.” (Eccl 1:9) Jesus said, as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be in the days of the coming of the son of man.” Well, in the days of Noah the scriptures say that “darkness covered the earth and gross darkness the people.” We are seeing this now. Desensitized people who have no regard for life or love, in darkness themselves, craving and exalting “an eye for an eye.” But scripture says vengeance is the Lord’s. He will have his day. The bible calls it “the great and terrible day of the Lord.” Great for those who are walking with Jesus and exhibiting his fruit (Galatians 5:22), but terrible for those who are found in evil and darkness. If we are really His we will not be looking forward to “when they finally get theirs”, but instead, praying that God shows mercy to all of us.

The bible says, “Hatred stirs up strife.” It also says, “Love covers a multitude of sins.” It seems like a no brainer to me that it would be easier and a nicer place to live if we loved and forgave one another. But for some who “love darkness rather than light”, hating and hurting each other is their normal practice. That happens when men rely on themselves to be their own defense and justification.

I will leave you with this song by John Fogerty:

I dreamed I walked in heaven just the other night There was so much beauty, so much light, don’t you wish it was true Don’t you wish it was true.

An angel took my hand said you don’t have to hurry Got all the time in the world, don’t worry, don’t you wish it was true Lord, don’t you wish it was true

But if tomorrow everybody was your friend Anyone could take you in, no matter what or where you’ve been, But if tomorrow everybody had enough, the world wasn’t quite so rough, Lord, don’t you wish it was true

He said the world’s gonna change and it’s starting today There’ll be no more armies, no more hate, don’t you wish it was true don’t you wish it was true

And all the little children who live happily There’ll be singing and laughter, sweet harmony, don’t you wish it was true Don’t you wish it was true

But if tomorrow everybody under the sun, was happy just living as one No borders or battles to be won, but if tomorrow everybody was your friend, happiness would never end, Lord, don’t you wish it was true.

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