Some of you may be wondering why I wrote two blog posts on peace. It has come to my attention again that Christmas time can be one of the most depressing times of year. Some of us have experienced some real hard times this year. Whether, it is financial troubles, the loss of a job, the loss of a child, the loss of a spouse, a divorce, the loss of a friend or loved one, an unexpected injury to someone we really care for, or it just hasn't been a good year; there is hope. My sister always has a verse of scripture she tells me about when things are going badly. "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them."
(Romans 8:28 NLT)
Have your burdens got you held up?
This year has delivered some of those experiences to me. In one moment a fall changed someone's life in an unexpected way. I watched it happen in unbelief. I expected them to get back up but they didn't. A call went to 911. The ambulance came. A stat flight arrived and that person was transported for treatment. How do we deal with an incident like this when it happens to someone we care about? One has thoughts over and over about what could have been done differently to prevent such things, but, that is a no win game our mind tries to win to no avail. Sleepless weeks follow and the video in my head keeps playing the scene over and over. Each time I cry out to God as if it just happened. Time helps the healing process, but, what do we do in the meantime?
What about that person's family? How will they deal with this incident? How do they cope, when a phone call changes their world? I have heard it said, "God has a purpose in everything." How do we look at such an occurrence and see God's purpose? It is not always easy. We may never know this side of heaven. This I do know. God is offering us a chance to walk by "faith." Here are a few thoughts that may help us.
In the Bible in the book of Job we are told that when trouble came, Job's wife told him to curse God and die. Now that is certainly not the answer. Dying like that would be for cowards. It takes bravery to keep living when we hurt and people we love hurt. When we do not have the answers self doubt always is there to torment us. Job lost everything including his children in a day. His livestock were gone. But, his children were all gone. How does a man go forward when this happens? Job had friends? Yes, it said his friends came by to console him but they only wound up blaming him for what happened. They accused Job of having un-confessed sin in his life that caused the whole incident. This was not true.
The whole event in Job's life was not his fault. It was not his wife's fault. It was not his children's fault. But all of them suffered and the children were all killed. Satan had accused Job to God by saying Job only worshiped God because God had a hedge of protection around all that belonged to Job. Satan had been before God and asked permission to injure Job so he could watch Job turn on God. But, it did not happen. Next, Satan wanted to ruin Job's health so he would turn on God. Job lost his health, but, he did not turn on God either. Now, we can't blame God for what happened. It was Satan who wanted to see Job turn against God. It was Satan who brought all this upon Job. His purpose was to see Job turn on God. Turn to more words from God with me.
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.
(James 1:2-5 NLT)
Okay, this present trial is an opportunity for "great joy." This is a test of my faith. This is giving my endurance a chance to grow. And, when my endurance is fully developed I will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. I must say that growth is hard.
God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him. And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, "God is tempting me." God is never tempted to do wrong, and He never tempts anyone else.
(James 1:12-13 NLT)
Being fully developed is not easy. This verse my sister keeps telling me about in Romans sometimes hurts. I have sometimes wanted that verse out of the way. I know if we patiently endure testing God will bless us. His Word is always true.
Trials and testings certainly gives us the opportunity to pray. It gives us the chance to claim the promises of God when we pray. Pray I did. I asked every body and their brother to pray. Well there have been improvements to my friend, but, there is a long road of recovery ahead. I know beyond all doubt that God has heard our prayers for my friend. Without them they would not likely have survived. God is still on the Throne and prayers still help.
One day Jesus told His disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. "There was a judge in a certain city," He said, "who neither feared God nor cared about people. A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying, 'Give me justice in this dispute with my enemy.' The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said to himself, 'I don't fear God or care about people, but this woman is driving me crazy. I'm going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!'"
(Luke 18:1-5 NLT)
Don't Ever Give Up!!! Don't Ever Give Up On God!!! Don't Ever Give Up Praying!!! Don't Ever Give UP!!!
'May the LORD bless you and protect you. May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you. May the LORD show you His favor and give you His peace.'
(Numbers 6:24-26 NLT)
Be Blessed
bob
Another wonderful thought provoking blog, brother.
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