This post is all about the times the Bible showed its okay to not be okay.
As Christians navigating through this harsh world, it can feel overwhelmingly difficult to be positive and hopeful. At times the stress and hurt we experience can cause us to be at loss with our mental and spiritual health. But don’t be discouraged my brethren in Christ because Jesus shows us many times in his word that its okay to not be okay. Jesus doesn’t force happiness or pure bliss on us, and he surely doesn’t guarantee a perfect and easy life. What Jesus does guarantee is eternal life after this one. Jesus promises that he will be with us, regardless of what we go through, even when it hurts.
Here are five ways the bible showed its okay to not be okay:
5 Ways the Bible showed Its Okay to Not Be Okay
1. Paul wasn’t a stranger to pain
“Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked… in journeys often… in perils of robbers…in perils in the wilderness… in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness— Who is weak, and I am not weak?” II Corinthians 11:24-27, 29 NKJV
In the Bible, Paul was one of the most renowned and faithful ministers of Christ. He wrote several books of the New Testament, and the amount of lives Paul have changed is innumerable. However, even Paul endured a lot. There were several times in the bible when Paul was the furthest thing from being okay, and that is an understatement to say the least. Yet, everything that he went through, Paul said made him stronger!
When Paul was struggling and asked Jesus to help him, Paul stated that Jesus replied, ““My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
Paul then went on to say, “Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” II Corinthians 12:9-10 NKJV
In times of our distress, we must realize two important things: all things are working together for our good, and all things are working together for God’s glory. God said in his word that everything that happens to us is for the good according to our calling. Everything that we experience is also an opportunity for us to experience God in a new way. God is a comforter, but how will we know that until we need comfort? God is a provider, but how will we know that until we need provision? Getting to know God personally requires our own life trials and tribulations. And don’t worry, everyone in this world goes through hard times. Everyone. The mere benefit we have as a Christian is that we are being kept and blessed through it all by the Creator of the Universe. (1 Peter 5:9-10)
2. The Woman at Jesus’ feet
“And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil. Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”” Luke 7:37-38, 47 NKJV
In this next story, we are never made aware of what was truly upsetting this woman. She made her way to Jesus, recognizing that he is the Lord and Savior, and began to cry at his feet, and wash his feet with her tears. She was clearly not okay. But in her pain and her sorrow, she was made whole, and her sins were forgiven.
Sometimes in life we go through things to bring us to the feet of Jesus. Whatever it may be, we know that we have a refuge and comfort in Christ. In some way, adversities push us to seek God more. Pain changes us and helps us to depend on God and realize we cannot do it on our own. Jesus fully understands our tears, just like he fully understood this woman without her saying not one word. Jesus healed her from her sins, because he recognized how much she believed and loved him. We too can come to Christ, in our tears and heartbreak, and he will fully understand it, and save us.
3. Jesus said so himself
“Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4 NKJV
“The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.” Psalms 34:18 NKJV
Jesus said in his word that he will never leave us or forsake us. He will be with us until the end of the world. Whenever we have an issue, we can go directly to him! Jesus knows that we will go through things. It is inevitable. In the word, it states “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.” I Peter 4:12-13 NKJV
Here in God’s word, we see that if we suffer with Christ, we will also reign with Christ. (2 Timothy 2:12). Its okay to not be okay because in the end, it will all be worth it. Everything you are going through now may seem hard, difficult, and hurtful, but know that it has a purpose, and that you can do this with Christ.
4. Job lost everything
“Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. And he said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.” In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.” Job 1:20-22 NKJV
The story of Job is very well known because it shows God’s faithfulness in times of despair. Job had lost everything: his kids, his fortune, his home, his animals, his health, and even lost the hope of his wife and friends. In all of this, Job did not sin and stayed faithful to God. God stayed faithful to him. In the end, God gave Job back double of everything he lost! This story highlights the way that even though Job was not okay for a long time, and felt heartbroken, lost, and deeply depressed, God did not leave him there. God made his ending far greater than his beginning and it was all because Job stayed true and faithful to him.
So, don’t lose hope my saints in Christ. If you are not feeling okay, know that God never leaves you, and he will make this turn out even greater than you first began if you continue to trust him, praise him, and commit yourself to him.
5. Even Jesus Wept Too
“Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. And He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus wept.” John 11:33-35 NKJV
Our Righteous Lord and Savior came down from heaven and became a man to save us. He also experienced what it is like to be a human being and feel all of the pressures that this world has given us. He experienced loss, frustration, grief, sadness, and was overwhelmed to the point where his sweat became blood! Jesus did all of this to save our souls and redeem us from sin. Jesus fulfilled the plan of God and stayed blameless, even when he was going through tribulations. At one point in his life, he lost a dear friend, and it brought him to tears! Jesus showed that it is okay to cry, even as a man.
He showed us that although we may go through a lot in this world, we can still serve God and live according to his word. Jesus was the prime example in the Bible and proved that its okay to not be okay. In the end He was victorious and gained far more than he had ever lost. Even in the pain, he still brought glory to the Father, and so can we.
Your pain may seem pointless, unending, or even fatal, but this is not the end of your story, and this does not define who you are. Its okay to feel overwhelmed, sad, defeated, or hurt. The Bible is filled with countless stories of men and women of God who suffered. Yet, because they were faithful, they were rewarded after. Stay strong, mental warrior. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Hold on, don’t lose hope, and never be ashamed of your struggles or tears. Its okay to not be okay. Jesus will return, and it will be okay in the end.
