It’s not About the Pain, but what it Prepared me for
Posted on January 26, 2023 by Elizabeth Welte in Freedom Fighters
There are specific moments in time that are very vivid memories; when I recognized Christ as my Lord, when we were married, the births of our children and grandchildren, graduations, and my ordination. There are other not so happy events that stand out as well… a resignation, illnesses, family conflicts, and deaths. The thing that all of these have in common, regardless of good or bad, is each is surrounded by thousands upon thousands of other moments of hard work, pain, good choices and bad decisions, sacrifice, loss, tests, struggles, frustration, anxiety, fear, patience, forgiveness, healing, and wonder. The moments of pleasure in all of this are few and at best fleeting. The ‘I do’ of the wedding is engulfed in the time building and maintaining a relationship and the receiving of the diploma is swallowed up in hard work and implementation of achieving the degree and putting it into practice. All of this seems incredulous unless you grasp hold of the goal and purpose of our lives and the suffering contained within it.
God’s purpose is not to stop suffering or to simply save us from sin and hell. No, God’s purpose, and what gives meaning to our lives, is His bringing us to himself to enjoy a relationship. Peter writes, “Christ suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteousness, THAT He might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18). God is perfect Love, and is jealous that all men delight in Him. To do that, all men must be ‘made Holy as He is Holy’; therefore men require the forgiveness of sin, removal of the curse of God’s wrath towards sin, the defeat of death and Satan, deliverance from hell and everlasting despair, the resurrection of our bodies, healing from physical and mental illness, and passage into the new Heaven and Earth. These are all byproducts of God’s purpose and it is for this reason Paul describes our current state as, ‘momentary and light affliction that is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison’ (2 Cor 4:17). “This is why we never give up; even though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day (through what we are experiencing). So, we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever” (2 Cor 4:16, 18). It is our focus on the struggle with the temporary things that veils our understanding of the true meaning and purpose of God; our being with Him participating in Love. But, if we can grasp an understanding of His work and purpose from all the testimony that surrounds us, and “fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith; Who, for the joy set before him (the eternal purpose of getting us to God) endured the cross, scorning its shame (the temporal suffering to gain this purpose), and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (having completed His work of salvation and waits for it to renew All who receive it).” (Hebrews 12:2)
Man’s greatest complaint against God is that He allows suffering and pain. Man does this because he willfully refuses to look to God for meaning and purpose, but instead tries to define life’s purpose from his own limited and egotistical perspective. If we would look to Jesus and realize it is the very thing we complain about that is bringing us to God, we would look past that which is temporal and grasp hold of what is of an ‘eternal weight of God’s glory and far beyond all comparison.’
Are you fixated on the pleasures of the moment that are fleeting and insatiable? I pray you look to Jesus for the Joy set before you and away from the struggles of today… setting your gaze upon God’s desire for you to be with Him for all eternity.
Choose wisely….
“Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Hebrews 12:3; Isaiah 40:28-31)
Praying you choose Christ today!
Written by David Brown: David Brown is a husband, father, grandfather, Pastor with a Masters of Religious Studies and a Professor of Philosophy and Comparative Religions. Dave is the Associate Pastor of Pemberton’s First Baptist Church. He is the author of two devotional books, “From a Chair by the Window.” And “#PrayerWinsThe Day”.
Think About This: “A good man’s prayers will from the deepest dungeon climb heaven’s height and bring a blessing down.” – Joanna Baillie
This Week’s Verse to Memorize: “He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He.” Deuteronomy 32:4
America's Keswick Christian Retreat and Conference Center
4.8
Based on 356 reviews
America's Keswick Christian Retreat and Conference Center
4.8
debra aufiero
18:09 15 May 23
Beautiful atmosphere/scenery. Inspiring speaker. Accommodating me with a gluten free lunch was great. Spoke with a young man who told us that this place changed his life. This gave us a chance to witness to him by telling him the gospel message.
Samantha Ferrick
12:26 14 May 23
Love being here. It's so beautiful, peaceful and fulfilling.
Kathy Cruz
19:37 28 Apr 23
Amazing place!! Beautiful scenery. Great service!
Evelyn Zayas (Smiley)
21:17 26 Apr 23
It was a wonderful experience. Besides the spiritual side of it, the place is absolutely gorgeous. Delicious food. The only thing I didn't like were the ants in the bedroom.
Karen Occhiogrosso
13:28 25 Apr 23
I have been to Keswick many times for the monthly hymn sings, and some retreats. Lots of good Christian music and Bible teaching for those who attend, as well as good meals to share around the table. The testimonies from members of the Colony and... Barbara's place attest to the power of Christ to change lives. Always a rewarding experience!read more
Richard fericy
13:14 21 Apr 23
Love Keswick
LaDonna Hankinson
13:32 10 Mar 23
This place is a beautiful place to have a retreat. You can join one of Keswicks planned events or use the facilities for you own group. The grounds are beautiful and a great place to find some peace and tranquility.The staff are amazing, and... really make a person feel at home. The grace of God is evident throughout the ministry.My favorite part is the music/worship time. Drawing me to connect with God personally.The meals are prepared with love and very accommodating to special needs.If you're not there for a retreat, and just need a bed and breakfast that is an option as well.read more
Edwin Rivera
23:00 07 Mar 23
Loved it! Beautiful campus! I really had a good time at the dinner and a concert. Awesome experience all around. Will definitely be returning and will be bringing friends and family.
Cesar Alvaro
18:35 06 Mar 23
Hermoso lugar bastante tranquilo y acogedor mis hijos se divierten mucho y nos llenamos espiritualmente de la palabra de Dios.
Zoraya Quevedo
22:36 05 Mar 23
Peaceful place to relax, and good for retreat
Hector Gama
21:39 05 Mar 23
Lugar hermoso,para retiros, conferencias y estudios biblicos.Personas amables, generosas y muy respetuosas.
John Mackert
14:37 03 Mar 23
Visited the alcohol rehab facility because a friend was in the program. Christian based, very positive environment, 4 month program. They are doing great work there. Visitors allowed every other weekend. We had a great time at one of their... Christian services. We watched the superbowl together and they even fed us! Very generous.read more
Andrea Conti
01:19 03 Mar 23
Awesome business great people. Very honest
K.B.D Janitorial Supply SUPPLY66COM
01:02 25 Feb 23
Very one very nice and it a buitful place and peaceful
Charlie Amiano
21:35 20 Jan 23
We went to an event for Gold Star Mothers. These are parents of an active duty soldier who was killed. Keswick was a fantastic place to have this event. It was clean food was great people were fantastic.
Google Rating
4.8
Based on 356 reviews
America's Keswick Christian Retreat and Conference Center
4.8
debra aufiero
18:09 15 May 23
Beautiful atmosphere/scenery. Inspiring speaker. Accommodating me with a gluten free lunch was great. Spoke with a young man who told us that this place changed his life. This gave us a chance to witness to him by telling him the gospel message.
Samantha Ferrick
12:26 14 May 23
Love being here. It's so beautiful, peaceful and fulfilling.
Kathy Cruz
19:37 28 Apr 23
Amazing place!! Beautiful scenery. Great service!
Evelyn Zayas (Smiley)
21:17 26 Apr 23
It was a wonderful experience. Besides the spiritual side of it, the place is absolutely gorgeous. Delicious food. The only thing I didn't like were the ants in the bedroom.
Karen Occhiogrosso
13:28 25 Apr 23
I have been to Keswick many times for the monthly hymn sings, and some retreats. Lots of good Christian music and Bible teaching for those who attend, as well as good meals to share around the table. The testimonies from members of the Colony and... Barbara's place attest to the power of Christ to change lives. Always a rewarding experience!read more
Richard fericy
13:14 21 Apr 23
Love Keswick
LaDonna Hankinson
13:32 10 Mar 23
This place is a beautiful place to have a retreat. You can join one of Keswicks planned events or use the facilities for you own group. The grounds are beautiful and a great place to find some peace and tranquility.The staff are amazing, and... really make a person feel at home. The grace of God is evident throughout the ministry.My favorite part is the music/worship time. Drawing me to connect with God personally.The meals are prepared with love and very accommodating to special needs.If you're not there for a retreat, and just need a bed and breakfast that is an option as well.read more
Edwin Rivera
23:00 07 Mar 23
Loved it! Beautiful campus! I really had a good time at the dinner and a concert. Awesome experience all around. Will definitely be returning and will be bringing friends and family.
Cesar Alvaro
18:35 06 Mar 23
Hermoso lugar bastante tranquilo y acogedor mis hijos se divierten mucho y nos llenamos espiritualmente de la palabra de Dios.
Zoraya Quevedo
22:36 05 Mar 23
Peaceful place to relax, and good for retreat
Hector Gama
21:39 05 Mar 23
Lugar hermoso,para retiros, conferencias y estudios biblicos.Personas amables, generosas y muy respetuosas.
John Mackert
14:37 03 Mar 23
Visited the alcohol rehab facility because a friend was in the program. Christian based, very positive environment, 4 month program. They are doing great work there. Visitors allowed every other weekend. We had a great time at one of their... Christian services. We watched the superbowl together and they even fed us! Very generous.read more
Andrea Conti
01:19 03 Mar 23
Awesome business great people. Very honest
K.B.D Janitorial Supply SUPPLY66COM
01:02 25 Feb 23
Very one very nice and it a buitful place and peaceful
Charlie Amiano
21:35 20 Jan 23
We went to an event for Gold Star Mothers. These are parents of an active duty soldier who was killed. Keswick was a fantastic place to have this event. It was clean food was great people were fantastic.