Separação
A separação traz dor profunda, mas a Bíblia nos consola com a promessa de que Deus nunca nos abandona. Seja na perda, na distância ou no luto, Ele é nosso refúgio.
Deus está presente na dor
O Senhor está perto dos quebrantados de coração e promete nunca nos deixar órfãos. Na separação, Ele é nosso consolo mais íntimo.
The Lord is near to the heartbroken
And He saves those who are crushed in spirit (contrite in heart, truly sorry for their sin).
Even though I walk through the [sunless] valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort and console me.
He heals the brokenhearted
And binds up their wounds [healing their pain and comforting their sorrow]. [Ps 34:18; Is 57:15; 61:1; Luke 4:18]
"I will not leave you as orphans [comfortless, bereaved, and helpless]; I will come [back] to you.
Although my father and my mother have abandoned me,
Yet the Lord will take me up [adopt me as His child]. [Ps 22:10]
Esperança e conforto
A separação não é o fim. Deus transforma a dor em esperança, e o sofrimento presente produz uma glória eterna que supera toda aflição.
Now we do not want you to be uninformed, believers, about those who are asleep [in death], so that you will not grieve [for them] as the others do who have no hope [beyond this present life].
For I consider [from the standpoint of faith] that the sufferings of the present life are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us and in us!
who comforts and encourages us in every trouble so that we will be able to comfort and encourage those who are in any kind of trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
For you have need of patient endurance [to bear up under difficult circumstances without compromising], so that when you have carried out the will of God, you may receive and enjoy to the full what is promised.
so that the genuineness of your faith, which is much more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested and purified by fire, may be found to result in [your] praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Amor que persevera
O amor verdadeiro é mais forte que a separação. A fé nos sustenta e nos dá a certeza de que o reencontro virá.
"Many waters cannot quench love,
Nor can rivers drown it.
If a man would offer all the riches of his house for love,
It would be utterly scorned and despised."
and Mizpah (watchtower), for Laban said, "May the Lord watch between you and me when we are absent from one another.
For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my request which I asked of Him. Therefore I have also dedicated him to the Lord; as long as he lives he is dedicated to the Lord." And they worshiped the Lord there.
But whatever former things were gains to me [as I thought then], these things [once regarded as advancements in merit] I have come to consider as loss [absolutely worthless] for the sake of Christ [and the purpose which He has given my life]. But more than that, I count everything as loss compared to the priceless privilege and supreme advantage of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord [and of growing more deeply and thoroughly acquainted with Him—a joy unequaled]. For His sake I have lost everything, and I consider it all garbage, so that I may gain Christ,