Focus

Let yourself become open to God and the knowledge that comes from the Word. Ask God for peace at this time.

Read

2 Corinthians 7:2-12 (NRSV)

Make room in your hearts for us; we have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have taken advantage of no one. I do not say this to condemn you, for I said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together. I often boast about you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with consolation; I am overjoyed in all our affliction.

For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted in every way—disputes without and fears within. But God, who consoles the downcast, consoled us by the arrival of Titus, and not only by his coming, but also by the consolation with which he was consoled about you, as he told us of your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced still more. For even if I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it (though I did regret it, for I see that I grieved you with that letter, though only briefly). Now I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because your grief led to repentance; for you felt a godly grief, so that you were not harmed in any way by us. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation and brings no regret, but worldly grief produces death. For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves guiltless in the matter. So although I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did the wrong, nor on account of the one who was wronged, but in order that your zeal for us might be made known to you before God.

Reflect

Life is hard and then we die. Cynics are no fun, but that statement is true. Life is a struggle, and since we are mortal beings, we will all die at some point. Life is about choices and how we cope when hard times come our way.

This scripture reminds me of two books I have read: Tuesdays with Morrie, by Mitch Albom and When Bad Things Happen to Good People, by Harold S. Kushner. Both books talk about suffering and have expressed some of my thoughts much better than I ever could have. We know that some bad things are going to happen, but we are made stronger by how we handle tough times and by what we learn from our mistakes. God never promised that life would be easy, even by being faithful followers of Jesus.

Pray

God, help us look to you in times of celebration and in sadness. We cannot do it all. Mold us with our afflictions that we may be made stronger by making it through with you as our guide. Thank you for being with us in all that we do. Amen.

Go with God.