Last week, I ended the post saying God trusts us so much to handle tensions in our lives. He wants us to plan for the long term yet focus on the present. This life is not going to be perfect and that was never the promise. The promise is that God will be present with us through it all and He cares deeply for us so we don’t need to worry.
What I didn’t tell you last week is that this phrasing of “God trusts us” was inspired by The Chosen, such an amazing show about the years of Jesus’ earthly ministry and the people he called to follow him. If you haven’t watched it, you can watch it for FREE on Angel Studios or by downloading The Chosen app. They are not paying me to advertise but I’ll do it anyway because the show is that good. Although it is fictional and roughly based on the gospels, it is the closest I have seen in accuracy of depicting the humanity and holiness of Jesus and what it must have felt like for the people living in Jesus’s day. Plus, the acting is superb, and it makes me cry every episode. Even my non-Christian friends are binging this show. Okay, I’ll stop, I can write a dissertation on it, but I’ll spare you. Go watch it!
Just in case you are curious, the video below might help. I have included one of my favorite scenes of Season 3. It addresses this question that many of us struggle with: why does God allow suffering especially for people who love him? Last year I wrote an article to address a similar question, Will Pursuing a Relationship with God Make Me Feel Better?
Many of us struggle with God when we are suffering particularly if it is prolonged. Rightfully so, it’s not easy to endure persistent pain be it physical or emotional. God welcomes the questions. He also says in 1 Corinthians 10:13 that “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” (NLT) God is faithful in provision to endure suffering and the video below demonstrates it.
So let me give you some context for what you are about to watch. Jesus has been performing miracles in different places. But many people need help and Jesus can’t do it alone. So, he sends his followers to do the same things he has been doing. In the video, he has just given instructions to his 12 apostles to go and preach his words, heal the sick, and cast out demons. You can read the account in Matthew chapter 10. The Chosen depicts one of his disciples, James (son of Alphaeus) as having a physical condition. After Jesus gives the instructions, James approaches Jesus and you are about to watch their conversation.
