Two men. Bob and Ned. Both in their sixties. Both have known great tragedy.

All but one of Bob's children died in a car accident. Within a year, his wife was diagnosed with cancer and died. Bob felt incredibly alone. He suffered terribly and twice attempted to take his own life. One night as he cried out, God reminded him of his young son who desperately needed him.

Today Bob has helped his son overcome his own grief. Bob walks with God. He interacts with others and helps them in their grief. Bob has remarried and is a doting grandfather. Never forgetting what he once had or his love for those he lost, Bob now recalls the joy and laughter far more than the pain and tears.

Ned had been in a destructive marriage with much emotional and psychological abuse. He got a divorce and lived alone, distrusting all but a few. Then he met a woman who cared about him. She was the light of his life. His world revolved around her. But years later, she died due to a nurse's careless neglect.

Ned no longer believed in God and frequently lashed out at those who said they did. Sorrow continued. Anger grew. Again Ned withdrew and lived alone. Today whenever asked how he's doing, his answer is always the same. "I'm struggling." It's been twenty years since her death.

Bob and Ned handled their grief quite differently. One ran to God, the other ran away. One has again found joy, the other continues in sorrow. One lives, the other struggles.

What causes such a difference? Is it that by following God we'll never suffer? No. The Bible is filled with godly men and women who knew anguish all too well. King David once wrote, I am worn out from groaning; all night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears. My eyes grow weak with sorrow. (Psalms 6:6-7a)

All who follow God also suffer and hurt. We have sorrow and grief. At times our anguish is so terrible we're afraid that we're going to die; at other times, we're afraid that we won't. But we have something the world doesn't. We have the Kingdom of God.

The Kingdom requires our transformation by God's touch. We cannot understand or enter until we are born anew through His Spirit. (John 3:3,5) The Kingdom is precious and personal. We would joyfully sell all we have simply to possess it. (Matthew 13:44) But it isn't an object or place, a denomination or religion, a people or nation. It is not found around us. The Kingdom of God is within us. (Luke 17:20-21)

In the Kingdom, we believe in God. We follow Him and receive peace and joy through His Spirit that lives in us. (Romans 14:17) Such peace and joy do not come from what we do for ourselves. They are gifts from God who loves us. This isn't talk or bragging. It's real. It's His power. (1 Corinthians 4:20)

So many have no hope. They see death as an end. When loved ones die, they're gone. Nothing's left. Life is meaningless. They're angry, but not sure why. Deep inside, they want more. Justice? Fairness? No. They want eternal life, but refuse to consider it may be possible. So they struggle. They struggle with something that wants to be released---their own disbelief.

Pray for those who struggle. Let your life lead them to the One who is the way, the truth, and the life.