Life can be full of surprises, and sometimes those surprises can be joyous, even fun-filled. But, there are other times when the surprises of life bring fear and concern because the surprise impacts us or someone we love in the most personal way—our health. Doctor visits, surgery, medications, and therapy are all events in life that usher us into a strange and often frightening world that can be overwhelming. These are the surprises that turn our lives upside down. These are the times when life hurts.
In these times of distress and fear, it is easy to want to give up and quit. It is also easy to feel as if we have been forgotten in our struggle. But in both cases, we would be wise to take heart. We have not been forgotten, even when we feel very much alone.
As you read the following content, we invite you to think through issues that relate to life and the physical struggles of health and pain that can surprise us in the worst ways. Get a clearer perspective when it comes to the problem of suffering in the world, and why a loving God might allow pain to cross our paths. It is an issue that all of us struggle with from time to time, and these assurances from the Bible could be a great help for you in your own experience of hurt. Perhaps there is a more significant purpose to this struggle than you ever imagined!
Making it Personal
A personal relationship with God begins with an event Jesus called a new birth (John 3:3). When we are born spiritually into God's family, we become His children and members of His spiritual kingdom.
To begin this personal relationship, take these steps:
We come into this world physically alive but spiritually dead—missing out on the quality of life for which God made us. The Bible says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), “there is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10), and “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). Therefore, we need a Savior.
God loved us enough to send His own Son into this world to rescue us from the devastating effects of our sin (John 1:1-14; 3:16). Jesus died in our place, offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice. With one sacrifice, He paid for the least—and the worst—of our sins.
No one is saved by trying to be good. We are saved by trusting in Christ. The Bible says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
The actual words we say to God to receive this gift may vary. What is important is that we believe Him enough to be able to say something similar to the following:
God, I know I have sinned against You. I believe that Jesus is Your Son, that He died on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins, and that He rose from the dead to prove it. Now I accept Your offer of full forgiveness and eternal life. I accept Jesus as Your gift for my salvation.
If this is the honest expression of your heart, you have entered into a personal relationship with God!
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