Not long after, I lost my best friend and former college roommate to stomach cancer at just 25 years old. One blow after another, life wore me down. The vision I had of a peaceful, blessed life had crumbled.
Yet, even in the wreckage, Scripture spoke truth into the silence: " Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’ s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."( Romans 5:3-5)
Pain isn’ t proof that God has abandoned us; it’ s an invitation to grow deeper roots. As Peter reminds us: " And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Messiah, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast."( 1 Peter 5:10)
When Those We Trust Let Us Down Some wounds don’ t come from life’ s circumstances but from people we trusted. I once looked up to a spiritual mentor, worship leader, and teacher who turned out to be a sexual predator. I’ ve personally known spiritual leaders who manipulated, abused, or betrayed their calling. These aren’ t just headlines— they’ re stories which stain the soul.
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David wrote: " Even my closest friend whom I trusted, the one who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me."( Psalm 41:9) And again:
" For it is not an enemy who insults me— I could have handled that— nor is it someone who hates me and who now arises against me— I could have hidden myself from him— but it is you— a man whom I treated as my equal— my personal confidant, my close friend! We had good fellowship together; and we even walked together in the house of God!"( Psalm 55:12-14)
We grieve not only the betrayal, but the distortion of what is holy. Yet, the failure of a man doesn’ t invalidate the message of the Messiah. The Gospel must be measured by Yeshua Himself, not those who fail to follow Him.
" Even if my father and mother abandon me, the LORD cares for me."( Psalm 27:10)