What does it look like for someone to struggle with gender-dysphoria while trying to follow Christ? What about the person who has undergone gender-transition? We all know what it feels like to struggle with what we think is right and what Jesus says is right. Sometimes Christ commands us to do the opposite of what we feel or think.
A LIFE THAT IS HARDER (BUT NOT FOREVER)
In Matthew 16:24-25 we are told that to be a follower of Christ means that we have to deny ourselves and take up our cross. The cross to remind us of death, scorn and rejection. Are you shouldering your cross for Christ or is your life completely comfortable and full of compromise? Jesus' call to follow Him does not mean gender-dysphoria will go away. Instead, it is a call to follow Him nonetheless. But our willingness to lose our life means that we will gain life. In eternity we will bear no cross.
A LIFE THAT IS BETTER (NOW AS WELL AS FOREVER)
Luke 18:29-30 is a wonderful reminder that those who forsake all to follow Christ will be rewarded many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life. Jesus is telling us that we will not regret following Him. Paul struggle and pleaded with Christ to take away a particular issue he was dealing with and the Lord reminded him that His grace was sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). In our weaknesses the strength of the Lord is manifested through us. Suffering produces an intimacy with God that we would not know without it. The struggle with/against gender-dysphoria may be a cross that some have to carry in order to follow Christ.
OK, BUT WHAT WILL IT LOOK LIKE?
Questions to consider:
Should those that underwent gender-reassignment stop taking hormones?
Should a reverse surgery be undertaken?
Does repentance mean forsaking community and relationships?
Must one no longer have feelings of gender-dysphoria?
BLACK AND WHITE AND GRAY
Solutions are not simple even though there are answers. Those with gender-dysphoria will have to deny their feelings and preferences in order to follow Christ. Jesus' word must be followed as true. Only in trusting and following Christ is blessing and life found. Those with gender-dysphoria expressing a desire to repent must be encouraged to see themselves as God made them. This is not an easy path to walk on and support will be needed. This person will need Christians to patiently bear with them and their stumbling along the way. For some, these godward changes will be instant and for others it'll take some time as progress is made. The goal is to see themselves as a new creation in God moving towards thinking and acting like God wants them to. Surgery to restore them as closely as possible to their original physiology may or may not be possible.
IT IS MEANINGFUL
You were made by God for God. One day your cross-carrying will end and you will be with God. It will be worth it.
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