The Two Sides of Life

Apostle Paul, in his life, had to face many hardships and persecutions. However, that never deterred him from proclaiming the love of God, proclaiming the good news of resurrection. What was it that kept Apostle Paul going strong, that made him overcome the hardships and sufferings of his life? The answer lies in 2 Corinthians 6:4–13 –
"Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also." (NIV)

Apostle Paul faced all kinds of hardships and difficulties, so much so that there were times he was under great pressure, far beyond his ability to endure so that he despaired even of life. (2 Corinthians 1:8) But still Apostle Paul persevered. What made him persevere was his strong belief and notion about the two sides of life.

As we walk this path of faith as Christians, we will face many kinds of situations. There will be "glory and dishonor, bad report and good report" in our lives. Though "genuine," at times we will be regarded as "imposters." Though known as God's ones, as His children, we may remain "unknown" by men. At times we may feel like "dying," yet, like Apostle Paul, we continue to "live on." At times, we are "beaten," yet "not killed." In sorrow, we "rejoice." Though we are considered "poor," yet, we make others "rich" by sharing with them God's love, grace and Word of Life. Though we are "having nothing," yet, we are "possessing everything," filled with the abundance of God's love and grace. If we remember this, we can overcome all hardships and can come unscathed out of every situation.

As children of God, as those who believe in the Providence of God, we should always open up our hearts wide so that the love of God can flow in and God, Himself, can reside in our hearts and can comfort us.

There are always two sides of life: the good and the bad. When we walk this path of faith, looking at God, when we do not confine our hearts to the difficult times in life, we will learn to open up our hearts and eyes to the other side of life – to the abundance of God's great mercy, love and grace and at the end of everything, we will be able to find the deep world of salvation and know the true meaning of eternal life.

When we have the attitude of Apostle Paul, that nothing can separate us from Christ, from His love, "neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation," we will learn to receive the comfort from God above and be strengthened by His overflowing love.

When God closes one door, always remember, He opens another, a bigger one. Sometimes we may be in situations when we feel that we are being "pressed," and we "despair even of life." In those times we should remember the story of the blind beggar, Bartimaeus. Why is this story important? It is because Bartimaeus, though blind, did not become confined in his thoughts, did not let his physical disability confine him. Rather, he used his ears to good effect, hearing about Jesus and cried out to the Lord to save him, to have mercy on him. Bartimaeus, who was not confined to the situation, touched the heart of the Lord and was healed. Like Bartimaeus, we should not be confined to our situations, no matter how hard or difficult they are. Rather, at all times, we should only look at God, at the Lord, and cry out to Him so that He can comfort us and carry us in His arms in times of distress and trouble.

Let us be the ones who can live our lives believing God, depending on God and His grace. Let us be the ones who can have this strong conviction that His grace is sufficient for us. Let us be the ones who can learn to seek comfort from God in times of difficulties as we walk this path of faith and testify His great love and glory.

God bless you all.