Risen and Renewed

Photo by Amelia Grace Photography

Risen and Renewed

 by

Cheryl Laurenza, MA, LPC, NCCBCPCC, CPCS, ACS

 “Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. —2 Corinthians 4:17”. 

I was watching The Bible miniseries this past Easter as it depicted the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. I was overwhelmed with the emotions of gratitude and love for him, and for those followers to whom we owe so much. It truly is indescribable ( listening to Chris Tomlin)  you are amazing God!  He suffered for us, in our place, knowing we had the free will to believe and accept or not. I cannot fathom that type of selflessness, but I accept it humbly. 

As I watched Paul pen the above scripture passage from a prison cell, after having been beaten etc., I  see that he was NEVER a prisoner except for before his conversion. Then this morning this passage was part of a devotional reading in Jesus Today by Sarah Young. 2 Corinthians 4:17 does not make light of what you are dealing with. Instead it wants to take what is painful, difficult or heart wrenching and draw a comparison to Paul, who saw Christ and knew about what we have coming through the finished work of the cross!  That's how we hold on to Joy in the midst of very real and very painful stuff in our own experiences. God does not want you to feel ashamed or condemned for feeling real, human emotions. He created them! This has been even more freeing and grace-filled for me.  I invite you to journey into that with me this Spring, as a sort of renewal for your heart and for your life.  

You are precious in His sight, loved one.

The Refuge Counseling Center

500 Sun Valley Dr. Suite C-1

Roswell, GA 30076

P: 678 693 2281

F: 770 640 9287

Cheryl@refugecounselingcenter.org

www.refugecounselingcenter.org