In life’s hardest moments, I have found myself in a pit, too broken to move. Surrounded by grief, I questioned how I would ever climb out. Yet in those moments I felt the Lord’s presence. He lifted me, wiped my tears, and whispered, “I love you. Just be still.” Over time, He urged me to keep climbing, holding my hand the whole way.
Recovery is slow. The climb is messy. At times it feels impossible. But like a physical therapist guiding a patient through rehabilitation, God knows the restoration ahead. He pushes us because He knows what we can do in His strength.
The Sermon on the Mount is one of my favorite passages. I love that Jesus intended this message for those closest to Him. As the crowd grew, Jesus withdrew with His closest followers. But why? Wouldn’t He want everyone to hear? Jesus knew the lesson He was about to teach was profound and challenging. It had to land on ears and hearts ready for its impact.
Jesus began the sermon by describing ways in which a person is blessed, yet many of these scenarios seem anything but (Matthew 5:4). Especially verse 4: “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the one most dear to you.”
To grasp this, we must first understand what Jesus meant by blessed. Today, blessing is often reduced to a hashtag on pictures of sunsets, accomplishments, or even the meticulously posed and filtered selfie. But the Greek word makarios means a happiness that is self-contained, independent of circumstances. Paul later refers to this kind of happiness as contentment.
Jesus spoke on this because hardship is inevitable. Loss is part of life, yet many Christians are unprepared for its aftermath. We equate blessing with ease or provision. When someone is healed, we say, “We are so blessed.” But when healing doesn’t come, we are left without words, only pain. I am convinced this is because we don’t understand that even in loss, we can embrace the one who holds us dearest.
I have lived the truth Jesus shared that day: true blessing is found in surrender. To lose what is dear and still praise God is to be blessed. To embrace the one who holds us dearest, despite the circumstances, is to be truly happy. So, keep climbing.
Magan Elizabeth Morin lives in Williamsburg, KY, with her husband and seven children. She currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Missions and Ministry at the University of the Cumberlands. She is also a board-certified Christian counselor through the American Association of Christian Counselors and a professional life coach through the International Board of Christian Care. While she serves in many capacities, her favorite title is Mom. Her days are filled with family fun, and there is never a dull moment. She is a big coffee fan and loves reading. If she is not in her office preparing for class, at one of her children’s games or concerts, or chasing her toddler, she is in a local coffee shop reading a book.