Suffer | Thoughts of God - Part 2

Life and Hope Through Adversity and Affliction

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Psalm 23:4 Psalm 32:5

God is present with us in affliction. He softens the heart. He grows mercy. He gives empathy. He empowers us to do as we see Him do.

Prive Counseling – Author, same as The Cloud of Unknowing

The Book of Privy Counseling - But since God in His goodness stirs and touches different people in different ways (some through secondary causes and others directly), who dares to say that He may not be touching you and others like you through the instrumentality of this book. mythoughts, thoughtsofgod, thoughts of God, David Reese

Go after experience rather than knowledge. On account of pride, knowledge may often deceive you, but this gentle, loving affection will not deceive you.

The Kingdom of Heaven – ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν (is like)

οὐρανός, οῦ, ὁ (n) ouranos, oo-ran-os' - heaven, dwelling of gods and spirits, independant of earth, vault as sky, universe. βασιλεία, ας, ἡ (n) basileia, bas-il-i'-ah - kingdom, royal rule, sovereignty. Matthew 18:3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." mythoughts, thoughtsofgod, thoughts of God

οὐρανός, οῦ, ὁ (n) ouranos, heaven, dwelling of gods and spirits, independent of earth, vault as sky, universe
βασιλεία, ας, ἡ (n) basileia, kingdom, royal rule, sovereignty

My Soul Has Become Troubled

My soul has become troubled - In its most meager form compassion hums with hope as possibility. mythoughts, thoughtsofgod, thoughts of God

I am encouraged that, “My soul has become troubled,” is not unique to my self only, voicing some difference alienating me. Trouble is common to all humanity, and in humanity, these words, “My soul has become troubled”, were uttered by Christ.

For to Me, to Live Is Christ and to Die Is Gain

Earlier tonight, I was in a group discussing the last half of the first chapter Paul's Epistle to the Philippians. The discussion settled on verses 1:21-26 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. 23 But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; 24 yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again. mythoguhts, thoughtsofgod, thoughts of God

For me there is no question. “To die is gain” and “to live is Christ”. I am confident that the minute I die, will be followed by movement into the presence of God. If that is not gain, I don’t know what is.