Surviving: Continuing to Live in the Face of Death or Destruction

"A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance." - Jesus (John 10:10)

I've sat with people who have survived the worst kind of abuse, escaped destructive marriages, grieved the loss of a loved one who died way too young, and so on. The world says we survive by being "strong" and by having "nerves of steel," but the strongest survivors I know are the first to tell you how weak and broken they truly are. What makes them survivors is that in the face of death and destruction they keep on living. They keep breathing and feeling and engaging however they are able. Jesus said He came that we might have "life," and not just any kind of life, but "abundant life." He came so that when we are struck down, we don't have to be destroyed. So that even in our biggest failures, we can be forgiven. He came so that we can survive.

The Bible is filled with stories of survivors. Joseph survived family betrayal, being sold into slavery, and being falsely accused. Moses survived confronting the most powerful earthly leader of his day. Rahab survived the destruction of her city. Jonah survived the consequences of his own disobedience. Ruth survived becoming a young widow and taking on caring for her widowed mother-in-law in a foreign land. Job survived the loss of his children, sickness, and unfair judgment from friends. David survived being hunted down and hated by a jealous and powerful king. Jeremiah survived suffering he described as "bitter beyond words (Lamentations 3:19 NLT)." We are preceded in history by a long list of survivors. A long list of survivors who kept on living, and not because of how "strong" or "good" they were, but because of how strong and good their God is.

It's ok to acknowledge weakness. You don't survive by denying reality, and one aspect of our reality is none of us are super-human. We can break, we can fail, we can hurt, and we can die. But we don't have to face our weaknesses in defeat. Remember the words of Jesus from John 10:10, He said that He came that we might "have life and have it in abundance." One of my favorite hymns "Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery" by Matt Boswell describes the state of Jesus during His time here on earth as "robed in frail humanity." We don't have to face our weaknesses or our frail humanity in defeat. As this great hymn also states, we can "look to Christ, who condescended, took on flesh to ransom us." We have a savior who can sympathize with our weaknesses, but we also have a savior who redeems human weakness.

Jesus suffered immensely and was tempted by Satan in every way we are. He understands anything we will ever go through and He survived every bit of it without sinning, which we can't possibly do. And He didn't just survive living life in human flesh, He defeated death and is sitting at the right hand of God the Father preparing for us an eternal glory that far outweighs anything we face this side of heaven, and one day He will return to make all things new, removing death and sorrow forever (Hebrews 4:15, Hebrews 12:1-5, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, Revelations 21:4). Fixing our eyes on the understanding, death-conquering King Jesus is the key to surviving. I love how the New Living Translation translates Philippians 4:6, "Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done." Talk to Him. Pour out every emotion, every thought, every struggle, every praise, every moment of joy and sorrow. Ask Him for wisdom. Ask Him to lead you. Jesus says He sent the Spirit to be a helper to those who have been saved (John 14:6). Listen for His voice and be sensitive to His guidance. We don't fix our eyes on a distant God, He's present and near.

Jeremiah describes his circumstances in Lamentations 3 as "bitter beyond words," but then says "yet I still dare to hope." He dares to hope because he calls to mind and remembers "the faithful love of the Lord never ends" and "His mercies never cease." We don't survive by anchoring our hope to better circumstances or by hope that denies reality. We don't survive by hoping in our own ability to pull through something because of our own physical strength or emotional stamina. God's faithfulness is the reason Joseph, Moses, Rahab, Jonah, Ruth, Job, David, and countless others survived. And hoping in Him will help us survive too.

If you're reading this while scraping yourself up off the floor after an emotional breakdown or as you sink into the couch unable to move because the weight of everything feels too heavy or as you grieve the physical reality of a body that is failing you, I want you to be encouraged. Even if you're reading this in a season full of joy and laughter, tuck this encouragement away for a rainy day. The fact that you are reading this means you have breath in your lungs and you are alive. You are surviving. Don't be discouraged. Don't fear. Look up to the One who came that you might have life. Before facing betrayal, beatings, ridicule, mockery, and brutal death, Jesus prayed to the Father and the Father strengthened Him. Let Him strengthen you. You may remain clothed with frail humanity, but Jesus is now robed with all power and majesty. Because He lives, you can survive.