Dr Cliff Robertson, Jr

Why is life so hard?

When tragedy strikes, life gets hard.

When the the job goes away, life gets hard.

When the diagnosis…

When the one you loved most dies… or leaves

When the horrible thing happens…

And then it happens again…

When we face depression…

….Anxiety…

…Fear…

When we wake up in the morning…

When we can’t sleep…

Let’s just say it out loud, life is hard… maybe even impossible. There are times when we feel like the weight of the world is on our shoulders and we simply cannot bear it another second.

Why? Why is life so hard? Why can’t our lives be like what we see on social media, or on tv? And not only that, if God is really there and really loves us, why would He allow all of this bad stuff to happen?

Where is God when bad things happen?

Years ago, I went through a really hard time. I woke like normal, got ready for work, kissed my wife and kids goodbye. It was the very last time I saw my wife and little girl alive or outside of a hospital setting. One moment, everything is normal, not easy but normal and the next, life is turned upside down and dumped out into the garbage can. It was hell… On more than one occasion I wanted to end my life. The main thing that kept pulling me back was that I still had a son. But I was not right…

I know that I am not the only one to go through the valley of the shadow of death. And I am not the only one to ask the question- Why God?

What I have learned over the years is pretty simple. God never promised that it would be easy. In fact, His word tells us that life is going to be hard – sometimes so hard that it brings you to your knees (John 16:33). But He also tells us that He will be with us through the pain and will bring healing and restoration. He also tells us that He will bring something good from something not so good – Romans 8:28.

I testify to you this one truth – God has done for me exactly what He said He would. He has wiped away my tears, brought good things from some very bad things. He has restored and transformed, giving me a purpose and a plan.

And He will do the same for you.

But I still didn’t answer the question- Why?

My best attempt is this – we live in a broken world, with broken people – therefore, broken things happen. Sometimes they will be accidents. Other times they will be someone’s intentional act and finally there will be acts of nature.

Life is hard but God is good. He promises that He will wipe away tears, not prevent them. He tells us that “no weapons formed against you will prosper” but He doesn’t say that they won’t try to beat the hell out of you.

So why is life hard? It just is. But everything worthwhile in this Life is worth the struggle. When we see the smile on someone’s face and we know that we had something to do with it – it’s worth it. When we see that sunrise or sunset and it takes our breath away – it’s worth it. When we stop and realize that we have served, helped and made a difference in others lives in some big or small way everyday we exist on this planet, we discover – it’s all worth it!

#yourlifematters

There is much more to be said here but am going to close this out today and circle back another day. Just know that you are loved. Know that you matter! Know that this world is beautiful place because you are in it.

God Bless You!

Dr Cliff