“Being a Christian does not mean that life is without suffering.”

Reverend Ronnie L. Henry, Senior Pastor @ Hope Christian Fellowship Church

I can’t tell you how many times I thought that because of one thing, I would be exempt from another thing.

Being a working professional means that I’m exempt from having to go to school.
No.
Being a leader means that I’m exempt from having to go above and beyond.
Nope.
Loving my melanin means that I’m exempt from being hated for the color of my skin.
Nah.
Being a vegan means that I’m exempt from eating unhealthy items that will cause me harm.
Not in this lifetime.
Brushing twice a day and flossing daily means that I’m exempt from dental issues.
Ha! I wish…
Finding love means that I am exempt from heartache.
That’s not how this works…
Having two living parents means that I’m exempt from feeling unloved and unwanted.
Unfortunately, that’s not true.

I am a Christian, one of God’s beloved children, yet I am not exempt from experiencing gut-wrenching pain that would render anyone numb and defeated. Pain knows no boundaries.

So when I heard those words from my pastor yesterday, I sat in the moment and in those emotions, because I knew exactly what that meant. Being a Christian does not mean that I will never experience pain; it means that I am supposed to respond to it differently. With every situation that comes my way, I can choose how I will respond and what my actions say about me and my God.

Beloved, as you go about your Monday (and your week), focus on this- your current situation does not dictate who your God is or how powerful He is. God is bigger than your yesterday, today, or tomorrow.

“Being a Christian does not mean that life is without suffering.” Being a Christian means that God is greater than whatever may come your way.

We are not exempt.
However, we are covered.
Walk in God’s covering, Beloved.

Be blessed.