It's Boot Camp, Keep Moving Forward

It helpful to me when things get rough, to remember that we are in boot camp here on earth.

Everything we go through teaches us things, about people, about ourselves and skills in dealing with situations.

We also gain discernment when we have to endure something and depend on God to bring the understanding and actions needed.

One of the signs of a maturing believer is their ability to slide through their sadness and trouble, fully trusting Christ. Notice I said "through their sadness and trouble." We don't pretend the hurt is not there, but we go through with joy in the midst of our tears.

Anyone who thinks sadness or tears is a sign of lack of faith, is arrogant and lacks understanding.

Luke 22:43-45 "…43 Then an angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him. 44 And in His anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground. 45 When Jesus rose from prayer and returned to the disciples, He found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow.…"

Sorrow and tears is not lack of faith! Those who think it is are pretending to appear more spiritual, but what they reveal about themselves is their lack of empathy for others. It is easy to feel nothing when there is nothing inside. Pretense is the killer of the soul, weakening our walk in Christ. Genuineness builds character and strength.

The devil wants us to believe our strength is in depending on false persona within ourselves. Pretending to be strong in the flesh is a denial of how Christ made us. It also prevents the prideful from seeking Christ in their own times of hardship. If denying our emotions were of God He never would have told us this;

Psalm 38:17-19 "…17 The righteous cry, and the LORD hears And delivers them out of all their troubles. 18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all.…"

Our emotions are a real part of our being, just as Christ prayed during His emotions, He never allowed them to lead Him in disobedience.

Psalm 34:18
"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."

2 Corinthians 1:3-4
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."

Psalm 147:3
"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."

You see! God never chastises His children for having emotions, He does however remind us that He loves us and is working on our behalf, no matter how hard things seem now. Hallelujah!