A Brethren help for a broken life

Looking through the world today, we find such amazing talent, and skill. Underneath that thin layer, however, simmering just below the surface, may be a life that is anything but what is portrayed. The outward may look under control, but under that smile and warm greetings beats the heart of a broken and defeated individual, crying out for hope, and help. We see it across all spectrum of society. From the music artist who finds himself doubled over in pain from a drug episode, to the lonely individual who is caught in a maze of smoke and mirrors, desperately looking for a way out.

The brokenness comes from a myriad of places and we would not venture to guess or presume we know them all. But the brokenness exists. Despair creeps into the heart and mind and eventually, if left unattended, the individual will succumb to the pain and sorrow and will commit suicide or hurt themselves in such a way that they would wish they were dead. Call it whatever we want, the truth is these individuals are broken. Unless they are helped, they will be worse off. Some do find help and hope, but many, sadly, pass from this life thinking there is no one there for them. This is a sad place to be and there are untold numbers who fade into History with a whimper or cry for help that is barely heard.

Does this have to be? Is this normal? Our society has put such pressure on people that they have to always be up to speed, at the top, moving, making things happen, in control. They feel that having yet one more social media platform will become the fulfillment they need only to find the never ending alerts only weigh them down heavier than before. Possessions, positions, even enjoyed hobbies become a burden and life looses its joy, meaning and purpose. So what is someone to do?

Many, chose to push deeper into the realm of materialism, thinking one more possession will help them to break out. Others pursue advancements in their life and jobs. They put so much effort that they climb, sadly on the graveyard of relationships, wondering what happened to everyone they knew. Many turn to self destructive habits and crime. Drug use, and sale, theft, alcohol, violence, anger, cutting, and many other things are done to bring a feeling of being alive or to inflict pain to cover over the internal pain.

Others move to religion, seeking hope. For many, they find hope but it is short lived. They look in Eastern Religions, Islam, Occultism, Humanism, and even mysticism. Seeking out the deeper and better way of life they may turn to philosophy and education. Pursuing after a way of life that promises hope and freedom but in the end offers more of the same trapped feeling of never ending cycle. The individual must do, must complete, must accomplish, must get to. Always striving, never arriving. Realizing the vanity of this pursuit, the individual may then turn to more traditional forms of beliefs. Catholicism, Eastern Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, Latter Day Saints, and many others. But still, under these innumerable beliefs, there is an element of the individual having to do in order to obtain. It gets tiring.

Dear reader, if this is you, then please let me introduce you to true Christianity. There is hope, peace, and rest. The struggle and fight you are feeling in your life is something that can be found in so many around you. However, unlike all the other beliefs, we as Brethren admit and realize that we cannot get ourselves into a right frame of mind without Jesus first and foremost. He brings us peace that passes all understanding, and joy that fills our hearts, helping in the darkest of times. This is the difference.

Christianity says, we cannot fix or help ourselves. We must have Jesus. We DO NOT HAVE TO WORK to find healing. Jesus offers that healing to us. There is, if a pre-requisite must be considered, a demand that we come to Jesus, confessing and repenting of our sins. We put our faith and trust in Jesus and in His finished work on the cross, believing that He rose from the dead. That is it. It does not demand work from us to accept Jesus' work on the cross. It is our faith. Once we accept Jesus, as Brethren are Pietist, and this is a post on this blog that can be read, our standards and moral compass must conform and align with the Bible. That shows we have truly accepted Jesus or not. That only happens through the power of the Holy Spirit. The work of salvation, and the help and hope all need is found in Jesus. You do not have to work for it, you do not have to claw for it, you do not have to fight for it. There is rest for you.

It is a peace that goes beyond any comprehension of the world. Christianity is the only belief that says the work for Salvation is already done for you and it gives life the purpose, plan, and structure needed to know, live, and thrive! This is the peace that many seek, but will turn away from when it comes to Jesus. You do not have to go that way. You can accept Jesus Christ's sacrifice on the cross, confess and repent from your sins, and find in Jesus the very purpose of life!

Life does have a purpose. You have a purpose. There is joy, hope and peace for you. Jesus, the Bible says, is closer than a brother and He will never leave you nor forsake you. When all others will leave you dried up and cast out, Jesus will never do that. The bottle will not help. The needle will not solve. Addictions will not heal. False religions will not cure. Only Jesus Christ and a right relationship with Him will provide all that is needed. He can help you in life to bring you to a place of healing and rest. Rest in Him. Does this mean all problems are taken away? No. But instead of facing those problems by yourself, you have Jesus who is with you THROUGH the problems. In some cases, even with Jesus, there are some who need more help. The local body of faith is a community that is there to help the individual. Still, there may be even a deeper need for help, and the local body can then refer to good counselors who are Biblical and trustworthy.

This does not negate the truth that Jesus does give hope, reason, and peace to all who come to Him. Life makes sense, it becomes full, and purposeful. Best of all, for those who accept Jesus Christ there is eternal life. Come to Jesus and find life!