Things may not add up right now in your life, but do not lose heart. Sometimes the events of life aren’t exactly what we intended or prayed for, and it is in that misunderstanding that we lose hope and faith. Sometimes an event blind sides us to the point of paralysis, where mind, body and spirit are held captive by the pain and shock of what we just experienced. If that sounds like where you are at right now, consider Mary’s experience.

Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, must have lost all hope in the promise given her to bear the Son of God.  I could imagine this promise fading as she watched Jesus beaten beyond recognition, spat upon and then left to hang on a cross by nails.  This was far from purpose in her eyes. With all that she thought she knew and all she witnessed, quickly fading--as each struggled breath by Jesus left His suffering body--she must have doubted to the point of paralysis.  I bet nothing seemed to make any sense at this point. No comforting word, hug or promise could have seemed logical as she watched Jesus die.

Tragically, Mary’s experience is all too common in a world with so much pain and so little faith. Like promised however, three days later, Mary and many other’s grief and tears were turned to joy and happiness, as Jesus fulfilled what He came to do. They went from paralysis to seeing God fulfill His purpose.

Thus, do not lose heart when it feels as if the world is beating you, spitting on you, and leaving your mind, body and spirit hanging on a cross.  Know that all things will make sense one day and though we may never understand and sometimes it’s not what we prayed for, our circumstances--like Jesus--will rise again. You may not see it now, but one day it will all be clear. This too shall pass for you, just as Jesus’ pain and agony on the cross turned to life eternal for us.

Cling to Hope and understand there is a method to “God’s madness." He is madly in love with you and I, and only wants our attention and obedience. Can’t you see what drastic lengths He is willing to go for our hearts?  

Do not lose heart, your pain has its purpose.  And trust that Jesus knows the feeling.

"Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men" ( I Corinthians 1:25).