Faith and struggles

Hebrews 11:35-40 (NLT)
35 Women received their loved ones back again from death. But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection. 36 Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. 37 Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. 38 They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground. 39 All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. 40 For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us.

In this chapter of Hebrews the apostle has given many examples of faith. The apostle tells us in verse 1 ‘Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.’ Faith is untouchable, faith is not logical; faith is only found within the depths of a person’s soul. There have been many who have suffered for the sake of their faith in Christ. They gained a good reputation and commendation from God who declared the world is not worthy for them. These faithful have been taken to a better place where they have found rest and freedom from abuse.

When Detroit sportswriter Mitch Albom heard his favorite college professor, whom he hadn't seen in 20 years, was dying of Lou Gehrig's disease, he renewed their friendship through weekly meetings. In his best-selling book, Tuesdays with Morrie, Albom describes their visits, focusing on his old professor's wit and insights. During one of their conversations, Mitch asked Morrie Schwartz why he bothered following the news since he wouldn't be around to see how things would turn out anyway. In response, Morrie offered a brilliant insight into empathy: It's hard to explain, Mitch. Now that I'm suffering I feel closer to people who suffer than I ever did before. The other night on TV I saw people in Bosnia running across the street, getting fired on, killed, innocent victims…and I just started to cry. I feel their anguish as if it were my own. I don't know any of these people. But—how can I put this?—I'm almost drawn to them. [Greg Asimakoupoulos, Naperville, Illinois] Jesus is drawn to us because he knows our struggle. He knows all of our struggles including yours.