LIVING IN THE PRESENT

Difficulties, sickness, suffering and death are things that affect us all. Learning to navigate our mental and emotional responses to such can be a tough and bumpy process. What we learn is that there are certain levels of denial, false reality and outright lies we are apt to tell ourselves and others about how and why we respond the way we do. This is something especially true to the Christian who believes that ‘by faith’ we are indispensible and immune to illness and even deserve to be protected from death.

Part of this dilemma is from trying to live in ‘the next world’ and not being present and responsible in the current one. Though we look forward to a ‘new heaven and new earth’ and have great hope for this coming time, we are not there yet and constantly trying ‘to fly away’ or shouting ‘when the Lord comes back’ is just not really Biblical or rational reality.

To admit to struggle, pain, suffering, sickness, depression, anxiety and stress is part of our human condition. To deny, naysay, contradict and even use humor to hide and suppress real feelings and awareness is not being full of faith…it is being full doubt, unbelief, and pride.

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” Jesus