Religion column: God will see you through

Life is not always easy, but I love it. If you never wanted to be hurt you would have to move to a desert island and be a hermit. Think of the loneliness. You would never know the joy and ecstasy of loving someone. You would never know the sacrifice love takes and most of all you wouldn't know Jesus nor the eternal bliss that awaits his children. I've always said, "The best is yet to be!"

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" (1Corinthians 2:9 NIV).

So life is some times hard. Problems do occur. It is not easy to sit by the sick bed of a child whose fever is raging. It isn't easy to not worry when finances are low and bills come piling in. It isn't easy to be at peace when a physical exam isn't good. Yet God's word tells us to have trust and peace. "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved" (Psalm 55:22 KJV).

Think of it. The creator of this universe has made provision for our peace, even in the midst of hard circumstances. "I leave you peace; my peace I give you. I do not give it to you as the world does. So don't let your hearts be troubled or afraid" (John 14:27 NCV).

This implies some action on our part and that action is to "trust." A trust that is unshakeable and unmovable with mountain moving faith.

Corrie Ten Boom, that giant woman of faith who spent many years in a German concentration camp (with great hardships) made these wonderful statements: "There is no darkness that Satan can create that can shut the love of God out for you and me. There is no pit so deep, that God's love is not deeper still."

We don't always understand why things happen, but if we did, would we need any faith? God is moved by faith. We are told in Hebrews 11:6: "But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (KJV).

It takes real courage to face some of life's difficulties. I look into the faces of the older beautiful saints and I see Jesus. I have seen pain in aging bodies and I have seen deep sorrow in the loss of a loved one. Yet I believe we will see them again: "And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever" (Revelation 22:5 KJV).

Yes, life is not always easy but anything worthwhile and long lasting does not always come easy.

When Jesus was hanging on that cruel cross of Calvary, life was not easy. His sacrifice wasn't looking for the easy way out. That dear friends is love … the greatest love this world has ever known and it didn't come easy.

Life on this planet is hard sometimes to be unselfish, inconsiderate and unforgiving but IT ALWAYS PAYS!

Portales resident Joan Clayton is a retired teacher and published author. Her e-mail address is: [email protected]