On Getting Out of Bed: The Burden and Gift of Living

by Alan Noble

There’s a kind of unspoken conspiracy to ignore how difficult life is, or to reframe it as something romantic—a heroic challenge we overcome on our way to the good life.

IN THE END, the only reason to keep living is if you live before God for His glory. If His Word is true, then we were divinely created to glorify Him and enjoy Him always. And our creation was a fundamentally good act — good and prodigal. Neither earned nor necessary but a gracious gift. And when we live in gratitude, recognizing and delighting in this life, we honor God. The only other reasons to live are for the World, the Flesh, or the Devil, and they only care about you so long as you are useful to them. Once you stop being productive and your credit dries up so that you can no longer consume and stimulate the economy, the World is utterly indifferent to your existence — unless, of course, that existence becomes a drain on the economy, in which case the World then views you as a threat. To the World, you are only useful while you contribute something to the grand project of living free from dependence on God (which has been humanity’s mission since the beginning). And if you are not useful, your life does not matter. Once your body experiences more pain than pleasure, your Flesh has no reason to keep going. When sex loses its thrill, and you’ve come to the end of porn, and all entertainment bores you; when your quality of life is diminished by mental illness or physical ailment; when you believe you’ll always be alone; then assisted suicide seems reasonable and moral. To your Flesh, you are only useful while your personal experience of life is a net positive. And if yo...

Even when you can’t feel it or rationally understand it, life remains good. And while suffering is a normal part of fallen human life, it is not the essence of life. At the center of existence is not suffering but grace—the grace of Christ. The grace that created you, that cleanses you from all unrighteousness and provides all the blessings of this life. The same God who sent His Son to die for you sustains your existence and created you—you—miraculous you, because He loves you. Whether you believe it or not.

Sometimes I cannot even imagine tomorrow, or at least a tomorrow worth getting out of bed for. But none of that matters. God’s peace is in no way constrained by my imagination. I don’t have to have a rational explanation for why my suffering is worth enduring today—and that’s not what I need anyway. I need both my heart and my mind to be comforted, to be guarded. My emotions and my thoughts will betray me, but I know He is faithful.