Across the Bridge
  • Mission
  • Blog
  • DONATE
  • NEWS
  • Ministry Plans
  • Partners
  • Current Meetings
  • About
  • Mission
  • Blog
  • DONATE
  • NEWS
  • Ministry Plans
  • Partners
  • Current Meetings
  • About

ATB blog

The Pain

3/21/2019

0 Comments

 
​This time of year the world turns it's eyes toward Easter as the new spring season approaches. Some for the proverbial Easter bunny, some for the warm weather, but most for the events that happened on Calvary. That was where the hope of a new chapter of life came from, and as the weather changes, let's hope our hearts can as well.
It was painful beyond the words of scripture to watch, for that I am sure, but as we look back we can truly say that the pain endured to bring salvation was worth it to God. He loves us so much that he would go to any means without sinning to bring us back to him. The addicts, the thieves, the adulterers, the religious perfectionists, the add your own category folks, all had to have their hearts broken to come to the reality that only by pain can we experience lasting gain.
Happiness, joy, all of those warm and fuzzy feelings only last while things are going well for most people. True, the memories bring us solace in difficult times, but that pain, that pain is a constant reminder of how far we were gone and how far we have come. It teaches us to endure, to persevere through the worst of times, and provides us with a platform to speak on to others, that there is Gain In The Pain!
Jesus planted a seed in the world that, unfortunately for most of us, only grows when experiencing pain. Yes, there are some who do not need to hit rock bottom to grow, but in reality, in this world we live in, many prefer to have faith in mother earth and that bunny. That is, until we experience tragedy and extreme pain. 
God knew that, that is why the excruciating events on Calvary, chronicled vividly in Hollywood's productions hit home with us as we are forced to see in re-creation, pain at its highest peak. I remember watching The Passion Of Christ with our church family and how the audience, including me, were in tears thinking of the cost paid for our salvation. It was beyond painful to watch.
But then, there was was that stone pushed aside, those public appearances by Jesus when he came back to life, the words of forgiveness and redemption that he continued to utter, and I realize, whenever I experience my own pain, it is a pathway to true freedom in life. 
As they say, no pain, no gain! 
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Glenn Yankowski

    Glenn is an ex-Marine Viet Nam vet who is also a recovering alcoholic, clean and sober for 30 years. He has been involved in start up and ongoing recovery ministry at North Atlanta Church and Campus for the last two decades. He has a passion for outreach and to spread the message that the answer to lasting and fulfilling recovery from addiction is in a relationship with Jesus Christ. He and the ATB team are available to assist in your questions or needs on an individual basis and will do so maintaining complete confidentiality. You may e-mail him at sgtski@bellsouth.net.

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly