This Too Shall Pass

"Then Jesus turned to His disciples and said,

'God blesses you who are poor, for the Kingdom of God is yours. God blesses you who are hungry now, for you will be satisfied. God blesses you who weep now, for in due time you will laugh.

What blessings await you when people hate you and exclude you and mock you and curse you as evil because you follow the Son of Man.When that happens, be happy! Yes, leap for joy! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, their ancestors treated the ancient prophets that same way.

Sorrows Foretold “What sorrow awaits you who are rich, for you have your only happiness now. What sorrow awaits you who are fat and prosperous now, for a time of awful hunger awaits you. What sorrow awaits you who laugh now, for your laughing will turn to mourning and sorrow. What sorrow awaits you who are praised by the crowds, for their ancestors also praised false prophets.'"
Luke 6:20-26 NLT

When I read this passage, it reminded me of something an elderly woman once told me. We were sitting by her dying son. This woman had already suffered her share of pain. She had lost her daughter and husband within a year. Now she held her son's hand. She looked at me and said, "My dad always told me, 'This too shall pass.'"

Jesus told His listeners that they would not always be poor, hungry, or grieving. There would be a time when a great blessing and reward would be theirs. He also told those that were enjoying and depending on their present condition of wealth, status,and pleasures, to beware; those things are temporal and passing away. We fall into a trap of false hope and security when we put our hope in them.

We can get caught up in the here and now. It's easy to forget the blessings of Christ's Kingdom and focus on our problems. In our problems we can find comfort in knowing that Jesus not only promises blessings for the future, but encouragement and strength for today.

What are you struggling with? This too shall pass away. Our only constant is Jesus.

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away." Matthew 24:35 NIV

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8 NIV