Bearing the Unbearable

There are times when we find ourselves faced with inexplicable pain and suffering. We are caught up in situations beyond our control and our ability to extricate ourselves is limited. We are faced with pain so intense we cannot see beyond the moment. We are overcome by loneliness so heavy and stifling we can barely breathe. We feel the waves of despair sweeping our feet out from under us and we struggle to keep from drowning. We beg for reprieve but none finds us. In desperation we beg to die only to discover that broken hearts can still sustain life. We find ourselves feebly attempting to bear the unbearable.
Most of us have been there. Most of us have come face to face with the pain and are able to look back in relief, able to breathe again, thankful that the sun shines once more, banishing the dark thoughts. Some of us are in the midst of the battle, our hearts ravaged and our souls wounded, desperately crying out for healing. Some of us are one step away from the lifestorm. We see the clouds on the horizon and we hope against hope that the wind blows them in another direction as a sense of foreboding fills our being.
Regardless of where we are, there are certain biblical truths relevant to each of us. In Matthew 11, Jesus says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest unto your souls." How powerful is that?
When we have lost our way, He tells us He is the way. (John 14:6) When we are down, He says He will lift us up, (James 4:10). When we feel we have no hope, He says because of His sacrifice, we have our hope--an anchor for our souls (Hebrews 6:19). When we feel we are all alone, He says He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5) When we think noone understands what we are going through, we know He was made like us in everyway according to Hebrews 2 and that there is no suffering we face that He cannot empathize with (I Corinthians 10:13).
Our faith structure says there is more to life that this moment and remaining faithful will give us suffering free eternity. These truths, if we believe them, can instill in us the courage we need to go on. They can give us the strength we need to hang on and the faith we need to keep on.
Ram Dass puts it like this: "For something in you dies when you bear the unbearable. And it is only in that dark night of the soul that you are prepared to see as God sees and love as God loves."
In the midst of our lifestorm, when all seems bleak, we can hold fast to the promises of God. We can know suffering as He knows suffering and we can learn to know love like He knows love. Believing makes the unbearable-----bearable. Sigh with relief!!!
Neva