Lessons on Grace in a Valley of Grief

Back to series
By Kristie Jackson on March 4, 2009 , ,

Lessons on Grace in a Valley of Grief

Click here to open a Print - Friendly PDF

Living a life of contentment depends in part upon one’s expectations, and there’s a disturbing trend among Christians to embrace expectations that are anything but biblical. Set foot in a Christian bookstore, and you’ll see lots of titles about living a life of total enjoyment, staying young, and keeping healthy. One might even believe that with the proper advice from the right guru, you could lead a life free from trouble. But the Bible says nothing of an idyllic or carefree life this side of heaven. In fact, Jesus couldn’t be any clearer in John 16:33 when he tells the disciples, “In this world you will have trouble” (NIV).

Yet we are masters at ignoring this simple truth. We continue to chase that rainbow of a life that was never intended for this world, and we’re keenly disappointed when we run into heartache instead of a pot of gold. And wasn’t this precisely the game plan of the demons in The Screwtape Letters? Screwtape explained to Wormwood, “We want a whole race perpetually in pursuit of the rainbow’s end.”1. . .

 

Kristie Jackson

Attorney

Kristie Jackson, is an attorney, author and C.S. Lewis Institute Fellow. Her books include Sharp Sticks: Essays of Embarrassment and Reflections on Redemption and an advent devotional titled Making Room for the Light. She has spoken on the joys and challenges of motherhood, and the sufficiency of God’s grace in times of suffering. She posts on her website weekly: www.kristieejackson.com.

 

COPYRIGHT: This publication is published by C.S. Lewis Institute; 8001 Braddock Road, Suite 301; Springfield, VA 22151. Portions of the publication may be reproduced for noncommercial, local church or ministry use without prior permission. Electronic copies of the PDF files may be duplicated and transmitted via e-mail for personal and church use. Articles may not be modified without prior written permission of the Institute. For questions, contact the Institute: 703.914.5602 or email us.

0 All Booked 0.00 All Booked 0.00 All Booked 18008 GLOBAL EVENT: 2025 Turkey & Greece Study Program – In the Footsteps of the Apostles https://www.cslewisinstitute.org/?event=global-event-2023-biblical-study-program-of-israel&event_date=2025-05-17&reg=1 https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr 2025-05-17
Next coming event
Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds

GLOBAL EVENT: 2025 Turkey & Greece Study Program – In the Footsteps of the Apostles

On May 17, 2025 at 3:00 pmat İstanbul, Türkiye

Special Issue: Seeking Dietrich Bonhoeffer

,

Full details Get Directions

Print your tickets