18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed – Psalms 34:18
It is a foolish man who claims a happy life after a declaration of faith. While inspirational messages like these speak to our innermost desire for some kind of hope in this life, they do the Gospel of Jesus a great disservice. Nowhere in the Scriptures are we guaranteed happiness by following Jesus; no, we are never promised such a fleeting salve. Jesus is more concerned with contentment – a peculiar innermost peace. Contentment is different than happy. One who is content has risen above circumstance and through disciplined grace has reached a faith that transcends this perilous life.
It is to be remembered often that our heroes are martyrs. Those champions of the Bible looked more like losers by worldly standards. Day and night, Paul states in his letters, they faced trials and heartache.
So where is God?
It is also to be remembered how the Gospel of Christ played out. Instead of God fencing us in from the struggles of a broken world, and instead of eradicating evil all together, He did something deeper and more symbolic. He showed the true defeat of circumstance by walking into the human narrative to be a slave to it, and by this, He was raised in triumph. He partakes in the trials of man and yet will not surrender to them. Victory is never granted in this life before the battle begins.
In this life you will have pain, but take heart. The humble conquerer has shown a better way. He has you in His grasp even when hearts sink and waves rage. Lean into Him and don’t settle for happy.
Matt simon blog 