Post 20

The search for an authentic and genuine relationship with God is generally a goal that Christians strive to obtain. However, it is easy to dwell on this goal, say the right words and do the right things and make yourself believe you are living the genuine life God desired for us. But when it comes down to the hard times, the times where we must live in the “darkness;” where no Christian clichés or comforting prayers can fill the void darkness has stolen, would we truly believe that we had an authentic relationship with God?

Professor Corrigan’s article “Darkness, Questions, Poetry, and Spiritual Hope” addressed some interesting points. We as Christians must have an “intimate account of suffering” in order to have true hope with Christ. I feel like we are so accustomed to finding the right words or doing the right things for others or even for ourselves when suffering strikes our lives. But the unique life we have cannot be treated with a blanket. With the different tribulations that come in our lives, it is not always about finding the right things to cover up all the hurt and suffering. We must learn that it is okay to question. It is okay to be uncertain about what you believe, because it is through that uncertainty that our true faith stands.

We do not necessarily need to suffer for Christ. But that does not mean suffering does not happen in our lives. How we endure suffering shows how faithful we are to God’s promises. We face and endure darkness for a reason: “"Unless we face the darkness, we have nothing to offer those who are hurting and we have no resources for ourselves when we get our own turn at pain--except cheap religious clichés." We grow through the hard times. And our sincere nature will show through those time.