Issue 758 – Nepenthe – May 28, 2022

I thought I would throw an obscure word at you for a start this morning. In my recent reading, I ran across it and had to head to the dictionary to find out what it meant. 

It turns out that nepenthe is a mythical concoction, the name of which, when literally translated. means “the one that chases away sorrow.” Over the years, there has been plenty of speculation about its true nature, but many believe it has its roots in an opiate-like drug used by ancient Egyptian royalty.

A drug that causes you to forget your sorrow. There is no shortage of promised nepenthe on the markets today. 

Many things promise to chase away the sorrow and pain, including drugs (illegal and prescribed), alcohol, and possessions. They might even seem to work for a while. The problem is that the dosages must be adjusted ever upwards to numb the pain because the root of the pain has not been removed. 

Some people resort to things like self-mutilation to numb the pain. “cutters” cut or burn themselves to “feel” something. Ironically it is not that they do not feel. It is that the pain of their sorrow overwhelms them.

Some chase away their sorrows by bullying others physically or emotionally. It gives them a temporary feeling of superiority which hides the hurt for a while.

Some people resort to serial promiscuity to numb the pain of rejection or loneliness. The problem is that each partner magnifies the problem. That drives them onward, searching for another to numb the pain for a while. 

The list can go on for a long time. Plenty of things can act as a temporary numbing agent.

No nepenthe can ever cure the sorrow.

Sorrow and pain are part of life in a fallen world. We will all experience them. So what do we do with them?

We must turn our faces to the Lord in our sorrow. He is the one who understands our suffering like no one else. He is the one who can truly comfort. He is the one who can walk with us through it all.

“Hear the word of the Lord, O nations, and declare it in the coastlands far away; say, ‘He who scattered Israel will gather him, and will keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock.’ For the Lord has ransomed Jacob and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him. They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion, and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the Lord, over the grain, the wine, and the oil, and over the young of the flock and the herd; their life shall be like a watered garden, and they shall languish no more. Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into joy; I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow. Jeremiah 31:10-13

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.

 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

True lasting comfort comes not from something that we do or take. Comfort comes from the presence of the Living God in our lives. He is the Father of all compassion and the God of all comfort.

Until next time, when the sorrow looms high and threatens to overwhelm you, choose to turn to Him. He will carry you through.

Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

Be blessed. 

Kevin.

Gleanings From The Word.

Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

Soli Deo Gloria (for the glory of God alone.)

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All contents are © 2001, 2022 K. F. “Kevin” Corbin and Gleanings From The Word.

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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version (ESV). Spelling modified to Canadian English as required. 

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