At the end of this piece we should be able to demystify why we reach such points in our lives.

The age old question ensues: Why so much suffering in the world? Even I, a lover of philosophy, spirituality and God, have posed this question. My mental travails to unravel the mysteries of existence; and tendencies to get too consumed by the ills of our society and the world at large; have led me to think this through; well at least for the sake of this piece. There’s too much going on around the world as we know it. Natural calamities, pandemics, mega corruption, human trafficking, economic downturns, terror groups spreading fear in the name of religion and other forms of depravity. I need not get into details about the death that awaits sinners and hell’s fury. Am not qualified enough for that. However, I will focus more on where it hurts the most: individual suffering.

Am sure most of us have described our lives as a ‘mess’ or a ‘wreck’ or a ‘hurricane’ at one point or another. Throw in any word you have used, or are using, to describe your quagmire. It may even have a personality of it’s own. You catch my drift? Life can show you stuff; weighty burdens, tests, tears. What are yours? To each his own. God is a mystery I tell ya. He makes sense when He doesn’t. See, He said in His word that each heart knows it’s pain and joy; meaning that only you really know your story. But then again the Word says that there’s no temptation that is not common to man. Interesting. We are as similar as we are different. But then the point is, for as long as we are in this world, we will face tribulation. That’s a fact. It’s all too familiar. The mess you’re in, the wreck; it doesn’t come as a surprise to God. As we study the gospels, we realize that Jesus, knew all that what was to come (John 18:4). He knew the cup of suffering that awaited him. When Simon peter drew his sword and slew the soldier’s ear, Jesus restrained him with these words, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?” I pray that God may give you the grace not to be surprised by your mess.

Beauty will arise:

Out of the ashes of your struggles; beauty will arise.

Out of the ashes of your pain; beauty will arise.

Out of the ashes of your past; beauty will arise.

Out of the ashes of your heavy trials; beauty will arise.

There can be no relief without pain. An oasis can only exist in a desert and freedom is real; but only to a slave or one who has witnessed enslavement. In order for the sun to rise, darkness has to fall. Order wouldn’t be such without chaos. God himself promises us beauty out of ashes and strength for weakness.

Looking at my own life, I am convinced that the times I hit rock bottom were make or break points for me. I had to get to the point where I had tried it all and done it all; the point where I had no idea what to do and no one to turn to. That’s where we meet the person of God: at our lowest points.

God’s love for us is so great. So great that nothing can separate us from Him. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.(Romans 8:38-39). Not even your mess of a life. Did you know that He restores the broken? Doesn’t matter the source of your mess; could be as a result of circumstances around you that are behind your control or a mess you created through your own choices. He restores it all.

You will be turned into an oak of splendor. The oak withstands rain, wind, snow and sun and still stands strong and evergreen; giving shade from the hot summer sunshine and a nest to the birds of the heavens.