78 - Kathy – “I have failed God too many times and I am a total mess. I’m at the end of my rope and all is dark!”
““I have failed God too many times and I am a total mess. I’m at the end of my rope and all is dark!”
Finding Hope in the Midst of Suffering: A Fresh Start with Christ
I am not going to contradict the Scripture and tell you the lie that there is no depth too deep that God cannot reach you in your unrepentant sin. I have received far too many emails from people, who knew they had gone beyond the mercy of God (Rev 2:21), who could not be brought back to repentance (Heb 6:6), who God had now turned away from, after previously being good to them (Jos 24:20), and who are now worse off, than when they first learned righteousness (2 Pet 2:20).
I wish to offer no sense of false hope and security to those who wish to toy with God’s mercy or trample his grace. But, I have indeed seen His love and grace extend to the darkest corners of people’s lives, granting them a fresh start with Christ, even in the midst of their greatest pain.
Many of us have been taught a watered-down version of Christianity, one that promises prosperity and ease. But the reality of the Christian life, as described in the New Covenant, includes suffering. Philippians 1:29 reminds us that it is granted to us "on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him." This suffering is not a punishment, but a refining fire, purifying our faith and drawing us closer to God.
Jesus Himself, the perfect example for us, endured immense suffering, culminating in His death on the cross. He taught us that unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds (John 12:24). Our suffering, when united with Christ's, can produce a harvest of righteousness and blessing in our lives and the lives of others.
This doesn't mean we should seek out suffering like Mother Teresa believed, or wallow in our pain. But when trials come, as they inevitably will, we can choose to trust in God's faithfulness and allow Him to use our brokenness for His glory. It is in these moments of desperation, when our world comes crashing down, that we are often most open to receiving His grace and experiencing the fullness of His love.
If you're longing for a fresh start with Christ, it's not too late. He is in the turnaround business, able to transform even the most disastrous situations into testimonies of His power and grace. Turn to Him today, confess your sins, and place your faith in His finished work on the cross. He will meet you in your brokenness, offering you a new beginning and a life filled with His joy, peace, and purpose.
