Day: November 4, 2012

Dear God: With You There Is Life…Even In Despair

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Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you and you shall glorify me. Psalm 50:15

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
This has been a time of devastation for the Northeast.  Sandy unleashed her fury and it seemed to those experiencing her wrath, as if it would never stop.  This storm brought sorrow,  unthinkable tragedies to so many and a sense of panic to everyone left in its wake.
 
The path of the storm violated individuals and their homes, their lives, and their temperment.Children died, volunteers lending help to those in distress died, and those who refused to abandon their homes, believing they had time …perished.  The landscape  I’m so familiar with…born and raised in New York, have become unrecognizable.     It appeared to be a set of a Sci-Fi production after the apocalypse. The images so shocking the average mind couldn’t begin to fathom, let alone process.  Painful, sad, and overwhelmingly shocking.
 
Why does this happen?  I wish I had an easy answer.  There are scientific explanations, sure.  Weather patterns, cyclic issues resurfacing again.  But, if you are a Christian, you cannot help but focus on the Word of the Lord…and the Bible gives explanations for everything.
 
 Jesus explains…there will be signs. 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.8 All these are the beginning of sorrows…Matthew 24:5-8
 
Signs, weather patterns…etc., all of which we are seeing at this time.  No sugar coating this, Jesus doesn’t lie.  Sounds scary, but when Christians are informed, and know the words and understand the meaning, it really isn’t that scary. It becomes easier to understand, although it’s tough to witness…it’s facts that Jesus told us, so that in itself is a huge comfort.  But, the best part of this is…God is with us always. He loves us.  He comforts us, and His arms are always open and His acceptance is constant. 
 

My heart aches for those that experienced Sandy, and are sifting through the remains of their lives…Hang in there, and be strong. I have family members and friends going through it as I write.  The sun is coming up tomorrow, and God is the same as He was Yesterday, today and always. My family and friends are happy to be alive.  They know they are blessed, so thank you Lord. To those not so fortunate, may the good Lord embrace you.

This is the time when you need to lean on God, not your own understanding. 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct[a] your paths.  Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV

Our  minds are beyond understanding in terms of God.  He knows things our flesh bodies cannot begin to understand, due to the dimension we are currently in. We can ask the Holy Spirit to open up more understanding to us, and pray for more indepth knowledge…but it still won’t be at the same level of God. Not in this lifetime at least.

 For those who are mourning the life of a loved one, God help them.  Their hearts have been ripped out, and there is a huge gapping hole in its place.  Give these individuals, love, and let them grieve.  Don’t give them a time table, there is no time table for the loss of a loved one.  Just be there for them, kind words, loving hearts, and prayers.  For although they may be Christians, they’ll still miss their loved ones.  They’ll still want them by their side.  There is no reasoning when an individual is smacked hard and punched with the loss of a loved one.  It’s suffocating under normal circumstances let alone tragic unexpected ones.  . 

But, in time…the light will start to filter through again.  It helps when you’re  a Christian knowing we’ll all be reunited one day in the future.  And, so that becomes a comforting thought and reminder of our faith.

The memories will remain, the pain will lessen…the scars will be hidden, and slowly things will start to make sense again. Prayers, God’s hands, and the love of family and friends will get most individuals through it. And, sometimes, ordinary strangers or volunteers.  God sends them out where he can, He is amazing.

May God be with all of our brothers and sisters as they go through the aftermath, may God strengthen them and uphold them with His uprighteous hand, may He guide them through the debris as He brings them beauty for their ashes.  May He hold them upright with His love, and provide  for their every need.  And, may He bring comfort to their shattered broken hearts…covering them in peace and faith to sustain them at this sorrowful time, in Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

 

Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV    And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore[c] and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.  

 

 

Pic courtesy of Scott Birge~