Groaning

"We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time." ~~ Romans 8:22 NIV

My heart aches when I watch the news of the devastation in Japan. I confess I turn into a news junkie to keep abreast of current events when natural disasters strike.

My heart goes out to the people affected. We never know when disasters will strike or if it will be us next time.

We only have a short amount of time on earth. James 4:14 states that our life is like a "vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away" (NKJV).

I think about the earth groaning in pains. Does the earth ache like our bodies ache as we grow older? Are natural disasters creation groaning?

Scriptures state that earth was subjected to bondage and waits to be delivered just as the children of God (Romans 8:20-22).

Human nature desires to be delivered from pain and suffering. While on earth we will experience pain; there's no escaping it. But there's only one way I know of to escape eternal suffering--Jesus Christ. He is the way, the truth and the life, everlasting life.

We can hope for what we do not see--the new heavens and earth where there is no more sorrow. But for now, while we still experience the groaning, we can pray, give, and help those in need.