Is there ever a good time for something bad to happen?
Today I was thinking about all the rough patches I’ve been through in 2006 and, one could say, I’m not very happy about all of it. And yet, there’s never a permissible time for suffering to enter my world! I developed rheumatoid arthritis about ten years after becoming a type 1 diabetic. This health development found me saying stupid comments like, “What’s going to happen when I turn 36? Cancer?” And even if I hadn’t miscarried a pregnancy this year, but had experienced one next year I would’ve had a terrible attitude about it as well: “2006 was shot, and now 2007 is too!”
The funny thing is that I should expect suffering. The bible says as much, and frankly, I don’t know of a single human being that hasn’t suffered in his or her life. We all go through rough patches. Loved ones die in sudden car accidents, friends deal with affairs and divorces, we’re diagnosed with diseases and challenging conditions, our children struggle with school and relationships, our mentors and heros fall off their pedestals. Life happens, suffering happens.
And still, I’m surprised by the bad times.
But, a day is coming where there truly will be no good time for a bad time. I’ve said before that I look forward to Glory, to the day where I meet my Creator face to face and find myself wholly redeemed by Christ. I’m not sure how others get through the suffering they face, but I know that I find hope in knowing that someday this life of difficulty will be replaced with a life of complete fulfillment. One day I won’t need my insulin pump in order to survive. One day I won’t need to take medication in order for my joints to work properly. One day my soul will quit struggling for joy and all my relationships will work harmoniously.
One day. Someday. No more bad times.
2 Comments
Lindsey Nov 13, 2006 6:17 PM
Rebecca,
I know how you feel. I declared at the end of 2005/beginning of 2006 that 2006 was going to be awesome. So far it has been pretty much anything BUT awesome. I think I might declare 2007 to be a banner year, but it remains to be seen if the banner will read “Go Lindsey” or “You Suck.” Suffering is a part of life, but sometimes it does feel like you’re getting dumped on.
Jeannette Nov 13, 2006 10:08 PM
When we left NOLA, it was under extremely difficult circumstances that left us heartbroken (and to think of what we were spared just a few months later). We thought we were entering respite after that trying time when we came to Philly, but it’s been worse. It’s hard not to be so frustrated. But so important to remember that we’re with Jacob “in the days of our sojourning”.