One need only glance inches, not miles, to see fellow children of God under attack. Diseases, fractured families, broken dreams, etc., etc., etc. surround our lives. My hunch is you, like me, out of loving hope encourage God’s hurting children to “HANG IN THERE” and keep faith burning in their hearts and souls.
God corrected me and challenged me to see the error of my words. I share the following not as a put down of my (or your) good intentions gone astray but as a reminding re-commitment to what God calls us to impart to His hurting children. Plain and simple, God’s children, no matter what trial or tribulation they are enduring, are not supposed to HANG IN THERE. Christ did all the HANGING that was, is or ever will be needed for any, and all, of us to be freed from our trials and tribulations. We are not to HANG IN THERE but to REST in the accomplishment, truth and promises of Christ HANGING IN THERE.
“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:38 (NIV). We are called not to HANG IN THERE but to REST in our Lord. HANG IN THERE implies clinging to a thread while the garment of our belief and hope is being frayed in a fierce storm. REST proclaims we are sheltered by our God in even the most savage of worldly furors.
I don’t think God calls us to wash away the word HANG from our mouths and memory. Quite the opposite, He calls us to share the reality of HANG IN THERE in a different and completely accurate connotation. We are to recall for others, who are facing the hardest of battles, that the trial of Christ and the unrighteous verdict rendered Him the one to HANG IN THERE so we could be proclaimed righteous and granted the security of being able to REST in God’s protection when worldly tribulations engulf us.
Christ conquered HANGING. We are to grasp REST. Next time we offer words of heavenly Hope to one going through worldly hell may they be ones not from our mortal mouths but from God’s eternal love, protection and promises. “The Lord replied, My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14 (NIV)
Uplifted in a Broken Down World 
Beautifully stated! Thank you for reminding us of this truth! May we all feel wrapped in the arms of His love as we experience our challenges and sorrows. May we feel the love and support of our friends and families.
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Rebecca,
Though many miles separate our footprints, the soul print of our hearts are side by side. Praying you and yours are well and feeling God’s blessings.
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Rebecca, I just received your Family’s Thanksgiving message returned. I know life brings so many changes, but you have become part of my extended family. Please email me (bonniejcarr@gmail.com) and update me on how best to continue sharing with you and yours. My heart and prayers became joined with yours many years ago and these bonds are not meant to break. Bonnie
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