Sunday, January 22, 2012

God Carries Us Through

Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. -- Psalm 62:8

One of the most difficult things anyone can ever do is watch someone they love die a slow, painful death. It just seems so unfair and so unnecessary. Yet it happens every single day to someone.

A devastating diagnosis comes with tears, anger, and hope. We know that God can heal anyone from anything. We know that doctors and hospitals do wondrous things. Miracles happen. And they can happen to someone we love.

It’s a roller coaster ride that never seems to end. One day a test result offers good news and you’re soaring. Life is good and everything will be okay. A short time later the reverse happens and you can barely make it through the day. Your heart is broken -- again.

Funny thing about that ride you never wanted to take. The longer you stay on it, the more you find yourself depending on God. He’s the only thing that is steady and true during this nightmare journey. No matter how many ups and downs you endure, He’s right there where He always said He’d be. A rock to depend on when nothing else seems to work.

As the journey winds down, there is peace in knowing that our loved one will pass into the arms of their Savior. There is comfort that the good-bye is only temporary. There is gratitude in knowing that the pain will be gone forever. Somehow it makes the sadness a little easier to bear.

Sometimes we Christians think that we shouldn’t have to suffer the pains of life. Illness and heartbreak shouldn’t touch us. It does. Of course, it does. God never promised us an easy life. He promised to stay with us throughout the journey, to care for us and strengthen us. And He does.

As I read the Bible I marvel at those who suffered so much. Jesus chose 12 disciples. Judas, the betrayer, hung himself. Of the 11 remaining, only John lived to be an old man. They died because of their belief in Jesus.

Paul persecuted them before He met Jesus on that road. Yet he, too, suffered. He was beaten and jailed. He endured great hardship. And he had a thorn never really explained to us. God refused to remove it so Paul, His servant, lived with it.

Just as we live with our own pain and suffering. And, unfortunately, the pain and suffering of those we love. It isn’t an easy journey. It’s hard and, frankly, it hurts. But we are not alone. On those dark nights when strength alludes us, God reaches down to lift us up and carry us through the storm.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Find Rest In God

They (enemies) plan to topple me from my high position. They delight in telling lies about me. They are friendly to my face, but they curse me in their hearts. -- Psalm 62:3

How many times are we supposed to forgive someone who hurts us? How many times are we supposed to show mercy to someone who has betrayed us? How many times are we supposed to turn the other cheek when someone spreads lies about us?

As many times as it happens, for as long as it happens. That is so not what I want to hear. How about you? It just seems there should come a point when we get to shove back but that’s not what God says. But He also says He’ll take care of it. I do trust Him on that.

I also realize that I should forgive others no matter what because God has forgiven me, no matter what. And I know I should show mercy when others wrong me because God has shown me mercy when I have wronged Him. God takes me back and forgives me no matter how many times I mess up. I try to stay focused on that when I’m struggling to hold my tongue and not retaliate against my enemies.

Maybe it would be easier if my enemies were people I rarely see. Isn’t it easier to let things go when it’s someone we don’t deal with often? But that’s not usually the case. Because those distant people don’t have the power to wound us like the people close to us have. They don’t know the buttons to push. They don’t know where the open wounds lie.

There is one safe place to take all this anger and disappointment. There is one place to lay all the hurt and the bitterness. At God’s feet. He’s the only one that really gets it because He sees and hears it all.

Some days I’d rather just run away. It would be easier, don’t you think? Okay. Running away from situations doesn’t solve anything or change the reality. Some people are just not trustworthy. Some people are jealous, no matter the circumstances. Some people lie just because they think they can. I can’t change them and neither can you. Only God can work a miracle in people like that.

So I struggle with my own heart. I don’t want it to harden so much that it no longer feels the joys of life. But I want to protect it from the constant heartbreak. Isn’t there some middle ground? I sure haven’t found it yet.

Most days the criticism just rolls right off. Years of experience has taught me to let it go. Have you reached that point yet? It really is the best way to go. Not that it always works. There are days I just feel so raw, every nasty word just seems to rip me apart inside.

Unhappy people seem to find solace in making those around them unhappy too. But no one can take from me the joy I have found in Jesus. There is a peace in knowing that no matter what the world delivers, there is rest in the shadow of His wings.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

God Alone Sustains Us

I wait quietly before God, for my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken. -- Psalm 62:1-2

Who let you down this week? Who disappointed you? Who hurt you? Who betrayed you? Who lied to you? Who attacked you? Who destroyed your faith in them and, maybe, in yourself?

That’s the problem with trusting other humans. We all disappoint each other, all the time, every day. We’re selfish and inconsiderate, prone to speaking before we think and being irritable with those closest to us. It’s normal. And it hurts.

That’s one reason I love God so much. He loves me when I’m unlovable. When I’m tired and irritable. When I’ve been criticized one too many times. When I’m defensive. When I mess up -- again. When I say the wrong thing -- again. God always loves me. I don’t know why. I tell Him that again and again. But He does. There is security in that. In knowing that no matter what, God loves me. And you. He loves you just the same.

He is also my fortress when I’ve just had too much of life. God holds me close when my feelings are hurt. God soothes my soul when I’ve been betrayed yet again. God gives me hope when the days seem to drag on and I don’t see any different or any better. God hears my cries. He hears my laughter. He sees my hopes and dreams and cheers me on, even when He knows I’m likely to fail yet again. Isn’t it wonderful to have someone who is always in your corner?

Maybe that’s part of the problem. We expect humans -- people just as flawed as we are -- to be totally accepting, totally truthful, totally supportive. And when they aren’t, it hurts. Just like it hurts when we aren’t who they want or need us to be. But we’re expecting people to be like God and that’s just not possible while we walk this earth.

We’ll never reach a point when other people don’t hurt us and disappoint us. So what are we to do? Turn to God. Lean on Him. Depend on Him. Believe Him. Oh. That’s the key. Believe God over the lies of people who betray us. Believe God when our world is crashing down. Believe God when He tells us we can find rest in Him. We can find Healing in Him. We can find hope in Him.

So stop expecting people to be what they’re not. Focus on God, who is who He says He is

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

God Can Heal Animals Too

"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him." -- Psalm 62:5

God is always there. I am so thankful for that. I returned home today to find one of our dogs missing. I realize that some people don't get the love others have for their animals. If you're one of those people, you probably don't want to bother with this. Because I love my dogs and I get panicked when I can't find one.

God understands. He was with me as I searched and searched. Forty acres doesn't seem like too much land until you start looking for a 38 lb. dog. There are so many places for him to be. I knew something was wrong. He sometimes gets sidetracked while he's exploring but he always comes when I call. He didn't come.

I prayed. And then I prayed some more. Because I knew that wherever he was, God was with him. The Bible tells us that God knows every sparrow so I know He knows all about my little dog. And then I found him. Sitting there, unable to walk, but waiting patiently. He knew I would find him. He trusted me. And now it is my turn to trust God.

My heart is broken. This little fellow that I love so much may never walk again. But he might. He might. The doctor didn't find anything broken or fractured in his spine. I remind myself that God is in charge. He can heal people. He can certainly heal a little dog. My little dog.

I know. This is the part where the non-animal lovers get upset and remind me an animal is nothing like a person. Yeah. I know. They're a lot more loyal, loving and dependable. There's a reason that phrase "man's best friend" was coined. I love that little dog and I want him healthy and home with me. I won't apologize for that.

I will place my hope in the greatest healer there is -- my God. Because He can fix this. He can heal bodies and heartache and replace despair with peace. He understands what it's like to love an animal. After all, He created them too.

Friday, August 20, 2010

God Helps With All Things

"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him." -- Psalm 62:5

Life is great! Really. It is. No major worries or complaints. Lots and lots of blessings. I couldn't be happier. I'm sure of it. No problems.

So why am I so stressed out? It's called the abundance trials mixed with a huge dose of guilt. Because I really do feel guilty about being so stressed when things are going so well. Know what I mean?

The down side of abundance is that time becomes scarcer and scarcer. Everybody seems to want something -- right now. It doesn't matter if it's help with a project, preparing for company, a new vehicle or a special piece of furniture. I love doing it all. I'm grateful for the work. Last year I was stressed at the opposite end of the spectrum with no work and the financial pressures that comes with that. I am so, so thankful for this abundance.

So I end up trying to deal with all the hands reaching for me all by myself. I don't want to take it to God. I don't want Him to hear me whining. What if He takes all these blessings away? That is such a scary thought. I am grateful to Him for all He's done for me. He has answered my prayers. It's just that this juggling act is tiring and the well is starting to run a little dry.

Sounds silly, doesn't it? I can almost hear Him saying, "Child, child," as He opens His arms to me. God never intended for me to manage it all by myself. What made me think He did? He's just been patiently waiting for me to ask for His help. It's certainly not like I was hiding anything from Him. He knew my stress level was increasing at a rapid pace.

Isn't that like us so much of the time? We want to do it all by ourselves, whether it's managing a crisis or an abundance. Maybe more so with an abundance. We want to believe the abundance should be something we can manage without bothering God. Except we're never a bother to Him. Never.

I feel His peace settle over me as a write these words. My soul is at rest and my strength starts to return. I feel His Presence as He takes my hand and shows me how to navigate this abundance He has so graciously sent my way.

Monday, May 17, 2010

God Welcomes Our Differences

"Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge."

-- Psalm 62: 8

Have you ever felt the sting of rejection? Most of us have at some point. Maybe it was the person who didn't want to be your friend. Maybe it was the job you really wanted but didn't get. Maybe it was rejection from a spouse, a parent, a sibling. There are so many paths to rejection.

I'm so grateful that God never rejects me. He always welcomes me with open arms. He listens when I pour out my heartache to Him. He comforts me and dries my tears, removing the sting of rejection with his loving acceptance.

Life is full of disappointments, especially for people who don't fit the norm. We walk on the edge, looking in at a world that sees us as different and not worthy. People want friends and family, employees and club members, who are like them. Different is, well, different. It makes people uncomfortable. They reject what is uncomfortable.

I'm thankful that God welcomes our differences. He created us, after all, to be unique. He loves us just as we are, where we are. He is our refuge when the world rejects who we are.

Saturday, April 16, 2010

God Is There

"My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him." -- Psalm 62:1

Emotions swirl around me as I listen to the doctor's words. More extensive than last time, he says. He speaks of drain tubes and recovery time. I almost don't hear him say they caught it so early it is barely cancer.

This spot, so dangerous in its innocence, isn't related to the other cancerous spot removed last fall. The words are meant to comfort and ease our anxiety. He is a good doctor, a compassionate man filled with experience in just this kind of thing.

Tears are held back. Deep breathes are taken. We will do what must be done. Gratitude erupts within us. It could be so very much worse. Recovery and pain are inevitable but doable.

But in the still of the night, when uncertainty and fear erupt, only One remains. He wraps His loving arms around me and comforts me with His words. Peace fills my soul as I remember that He is in control. I place my Mother's fate into His loving care. All will be okay, no matter what the days ahead hold.