This has to be one of the best sermons, my life is 100% everything he just said. I find myself very stoic, though I'm not a good one.... what a tactfully spoken word of encouragement to all the unspeakable sufferings people go through. I imagine this is one topic, that almost 99.9% of people shy away from because it's not a popular thing to share with believers, but it's Hella true!
Topics like this aren't always discussed, but need to be. Our community benefits when people take the time to share in this way. Thank you for being part of our community and for sharing your honest reflections, we appreciate it. --NTW Online Team
Yes and Amen! I have been in this pit and the only way of coping was through the Lord. It is the greatest Hope one can ever find and cling onto with their fingernails, as you have so expressed so well. Thank you for sharing this absolute truth today.
Amazing! Timestamp 3:43 Prof Wright opened up vss 10-12 for me in a new light. He maintains that the answers to these questions of lament are all "Yes." I never considered that. In reflection I this with Jesus' going from "My God why have You forsaken Me" to "It is finished!" Jesus had not been forsaken, and neither will we be. Thank you for this lesson!
Ahh ... the dark night of the soul. This is a test I failed, yet God was faithful even when I was not. Unless one has been there it just isn't possible to really comprehend the pain. Circumstances can assail us from without, but this trial wells up from the soul itself. Like Rachel we weep and refuse to be comforted. We withdraw into ourselves clutching our stillborn hope to our breast. Nuff said.
Dear Tom, I have been in that place and after a lot of grief and pain mental and emotional I remembered Jesus saying that we are in his hands and nothing can snatch us out. Do we need to cling when we are held? It is helping me to think of being safe in Jesus' hand so then I can relax into his safe hands, and I believe that that is how we can praise him in our dire times, not by singing or any other proactive thing, just by relaxing ourselves into the safe strong hands of Jesus.
Your perspective on relaxing into His strength as a form of praise in challenging times is inspiring and comforting. Thank you for sharing your reflections.
I have always believed that a small number of persons are "called" to be in the pit of despair. I'm not convinced that I will get out of this calling that God has placed me here. You have to have failures in order to differentiate the successes. The taking of my life currently remains on the table.
It sounds like life is really heavy. We are not sure about concluding that a small group of people are 'called' to be in the pit of despair. At the same time, there are a good number of people who experience the pit of despair, some for a long time. It may be the case that we feel that God has put us there. But here is when other good, wise followers of Jesus can be of help. A wise person, perhaps even a counselor, can help you discern whether this is a 'calling' or whether this is deep depression. But either way, you need not carry this alone. There are wise people of God that can help carry the load you feel and bear the burden of prayer with and for you. We share the psalmist's despair and join it with our own when we read such Psalms like Ps 88. But, we in this community can pray with you and lament the pain you are in. Sometimes talking about how you're feeling with trusted people in your life can lend support. If that isn't an option there is confidential support available for anyone experiencing emotional distress or suicidal crisis by dialing 988. May God keep you safe. You matter.
Thanks for the question. The New Testament has a lot to say about caring for vulnerable persons and those who are oppressed. One place to begin looking at how Jesus might have treated widows is Luke's Gospel, which features many accounts of women in general and also foregrounds themes of weeping, as well as the element of surprise.
All things being well, Prof. Wright will be teaching June 2023 in Houston. If you're on our mailing list you'll hear more as the date approaches. Otherwise, email ntwrightonline@gmail.com for more info.
God is faithful 🙏 its all about you amen
This has to be one of the best sermons, my life is 100% everything he just said. I find myself very stoic, though I'm not a good one.... what a tactfully spoken word of encouragement to all the unspeakable sufferings people go through. I imagine this is one topic, that almost 99.9% of people shy away from because it's not a popular thing to share with believers, but it's Hella true!
Topics like this aren't always discussed, but need to be. Our community benefits when people take the time to share in this way. Thank you for being part of our community and for sharing your honest reflections, we appreciate it. --NTW Online Team
"You, You, You." Thanks for this encouragement. Whatever happens, as long as we stay in relationship with Him there is hope.
And the answers to the questions of the psalmist - Yes. Yes. Yes. Ultimately the answer is yes.
Yes and Amen! I have been in this pit and the only way of coping was through the Lord. It is the greatest Hope one can ever find and cling onto with their fingernails, as you have so expressed so well. Thank you for sharing this absolute truth today.
Amazing! Timestamp 3:43 Prof Wright opened up vss 10-12 for me in a new light. He maintains that the answers to these questions of lament are all "Yes." I never considered that. In reflection I this with Jesus' going from "My God why have You forsaken Me" to "It is finished!" Jesus had not been forsaken, and neither will we be. Thank you for this lesson!
Wonderful to hear!
This has been a rescue.
Yes God you’re all I have
Yes I have been to that place.
Thank you my brother!
Thank you!💐
Ahh ... the dark night of the soul. This is a test I failed, yet God was faithful even when I was not. Unless one has been there it just isn't possible to really comprehend the pain. Circumstances can assail us from without, but this trial wells up from the soul itself. Like Rachel we weep and refuse to be comforted. We withdraw into ourselves clutching our stillborn hope to our breast. Nuff said.
A reminder of the faithfulness of God when suffering makes it difficult to see or experience.
Wonderful message. God bless you.
Dear Tom, I have been in that place and after a lot of grief and pain mental and emotional I remembered Jesus saying that we are in his hands and nothing can snatch us out. Do we need to cling when we are held? It is helping me to think of being safe in Jesus' hand so then I can relax into his safe hands, and I believe that that is how we can praise him in our dire times, not by singing or any other proactive thing, just by relaxing ourselves into the safe strong hands of Jesus.
Your perspective on relaxing into His strength as a form of praise in challenging times is inspiring and comforting. Thank you for sharing your reflections.
😊
I have always believed that a small number of persons are "called" to be in the pit of despair. I'm not convinced that I will get out of this calling that God has placed me here. You have to have failures in order to differentiate the successes. The taking of my life currently remains on the table.
It sounds like life is really heavy. We are not sure about concluding that a small group of people are 'called' to be in the pit of despair. At the same time, there are a good number of people who experience the pit of despair, some for a long time. It may be the case that we feel that God has put us there. But here is when other good, wise followers of Jesus can be of help. A wise person, perhaps even a counselor, can help you discern whether this is a 'calling' or whether this is deep depression. But either way, you need not carry this alone. There are wise people of God that can help carry the load you feel and bear the burden of prayer with and for you. We share the psalmist's despair and join it with our own when we read such Psalms like Ps 88. But, we in this community can pray with you and lament the pain you are in. Sometimes talking about how you're feeling with trusted people in your life can lend support. If that isn't an option there is confidential support available for anyone experiencing emotional distress or suicidal crisis by dialing 988. May God keep you safe. You matter.
Mark 9.24
TY, would love your words on widows in Jesus life. How did Jesus treat widows?
Thanks for the question. The New Testament has a lot to say about caring for vulnerable persons and those who are oppressed. One place to begin looking at how Jesus might have treated widows is Luke's Gospel, which features many accounts of women in general and also foregrounds themes of weeping, as well as the element of surprise.
Rev Wright, I was profoundly disappointed that I missed you in Asbury ky. I had just stayed in that hotel a few weeks prior. When are you coming back?
All things being well, Prof. Wright will be teaching June 2023 in Houston. If you're on our mailing list you'll hear more as the date approaches. Otherwise, email ntwrightonline@gmail.com for more info.