Written by Jonathan Munson, Executive Director, RFTH
“Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.”
Romans 8:22
I was in a meeting the other day, and my stomach made an awful gurgling sound. By that, I mean it roared like a bear waking up from hibernation…in Alaska…staring at a river filled with salmon.
While you may have never experienced an embarrassing stomach growl, I bet you know what it’s like for your soul to growl.
More accurately stated, our souls don’t growl. They groan.
Biblically speaking, groaning means “an internal squeezing” and describes a person caught in a dreadful situation where relief is nowhere in sight. At times, this internal angst causes us to make an audible, inarticulate sound, as in a literal groan. But most of the time, we groan inwardly, silently carrying the stress and strain of life as an inescapable burden.
Is your soul groaning right now?
Our souls groan for various reasons. Physically, we yearn for “the redemption of our bodies.” As anyone over 40 can testify, our bodies break down and are subject to pain from the simplest task, like bending over to tie our shoes.
In addition to our physical groanings, we groan spiritually. Though Christ has freed us from the power and penalty of sin, it still wages war within our hearts. As the writer of Hebrews says, we are “easily entangled” (Hebrews 12:1) by temptations big and small.
But we don’t groan alone.
Paul tells us that all “creation is groaning in the pains of childbirth” (Romans 8:22). Together with all of nature, we create a cacophony of groans declaring that this world is not as it was meant to be.
Groaning actually began in the Garden of Eden. Mankind’s rebellion against God sent shockwaves of sin and suffering that still reverberate to this day. Charles Spurgeon eloquently explains what we all experience, “The slime of the serpent is on all of our Edens now.”
Spurgeon’s words help me understand why I groan, not only on my bad days but also on my so-called ‘good days.’ Because even on my good days, I still experience some residual slime from the serpent. I feel a nagging tension, an underlying realization that this world is horribly broken by sin…and so am I.
Paul likens this realization to “waiting for our adoption as sons” (Romans 8:23). Jesus has signed the “adoption” papers, so to speak, with His blood. But our “adoption” process won’t officially be finalized until we step into heaven. Until then, it’s like we’re stuck in the waiting room, papers in hand, perpetually longing to go to our true Home.
At this point, you might be thinking, “This isn’t a very encouraging devotional.” And in one sense, you’re right. But think about it like this.
While we’re stuck in this ‘waiting room,’ let me challenge you as I challenge myself- The volume of our gratitude should be louder than the volume of our groaning. Yes, we have reasons to groan, but we have more reasons to be grateful (Just read the rest of Romans 8).
Thank the Lord for what He’s done and what He’s going to do in the future.
You see, as unpleasant it can be, groaning is a sign that something is coming. It’s a sign that the Story is not over. God has promised a new creation where pain, suffering, and sin are no more (Revelation 21:1-4).
In the meantime, there is no shame in admitting that we groan. Groaning is a normal part of the life of faith that invites us to lean into God. Groaning reminds us of our great need for Jesus. Our longing for a better world, our desire for justice and healing, our deep ache for wholeness—these are all signs that we’re in tune with God’s promise of redemption.
So, do not lose heart, my friend. Right now, in the middle of your groaning, He is working all things toward a glorious end (Romans 8:18).
“In light of heaven, the worst suffering on earth will be seen to be no more serious than one night in an inconvenient hotel.” -Saint Teresa of Avila
DIG DEEPER
Read ” What Does It Mean To Groan in the Spirit?” at GotQuestions.org
