Hurting People

If you take the time to look around or stop and talk to someone, you will find that people are hurting in many various ways. Sometimes we are so busy with our lives that we don't take the time to listen to others and just be there as a support. Or sometimes we often judge a person without knowing the real story so we just ignore them because of our lack of information or wrong information.

There are many people who have lost their way, their jobs, their dreams for themselves or their children, their health, their hope, their finances, their relationships, and the list goes on so I think that should include most of the human race.

 However, it seems that some years are much more difficult than you ever could have imagined, and you may lose hope.  Struggles and hardships are a part of life.  I think that a lot of Americans think happiness and pleasure is the highest goal in life.  Life is not like that at all. Some people seem to have more of their fair share of struggles and pain and seems that others just coast along in life.  But sometimes, we just don't know the whole story on someone's life because it's private or they are not willing to be open and candid about that issue in their lives.

 Life can be cruel and very hard sometimes. Knowing who holds the future is where I get my peace, hope and joy.  Some things have happened in our lives this past year that I could never have imagined.  It has been one thing after another, and I mean BIG things that can tear your heart out.  I thought I had my life and our family life figured out and on a certain path.  That seemed to change very quickly this year.  My faith in God and the goodness of humanity have been tried a great deal, but my faith has stood the test because I trust in a God who knows all things before they even happen.  My faith has not only been tested, but my faith has increased because I have turned over these difficult circumstances to the Living Lord.

Dont' get me wrong. I have struggled, I have bawled my eyes out, I have been beaten down, but I have been victorious through the struggles because I have kept my eyes on Christ and not on the problems. I have not become bitter or felt sorry for myself. One should always deal with their issues in a Biblical way...don't ignore problems and pretend that they don't affect you. But through it all, one must depend on the power of God's love, grace, and mercy! Just throw yourself down and let God pull you up out of the pit! There have been so many teachable moments through these times. Bitterness is such a long road to travel and for those that have taken that road, it can be disasterous in so many ways. It is so important during hard times to keep one's heart pliable and soft so that God can use the ugly and hard circumstances in life to teach us new and wonderful things about His grace, love, mercy, and forgiveness.

Every one has a different story whether it's cancer, death, broken relationship, broken heart, financial disaster, abandonment etc.......God's peace is the answer. His Word is so full of promises and encouragement.

  Running to Him has been a peace that passeth any understanding. He is the answer for all of life's woes and most difficult problems.  I thank God for the people he has also led our way to encourage us and for those who have lifted us up in prayers without even knowing details.  But most of all, I am so thankful for Him and His presence!  I would be so lost without Him!!!!! He is the only one that can fill the deepest gap and the greatest disappointment!!!  He not only fills it but gives joy in the journey!!!!

God Meant it for Good

Have you ever asked the question, "Why?"  I have asked that in the past many times, but as I grow older, that question doesn't seem to come up very often anymore.  I know without a doubt that my life is in God's hands and that He may have His way with me, regardless of the pain, deep hurt or betrayal of any human being or any painful incident that may occur.  So I don't ask, "Why me?"  My questions now are, "What can I learn from this experience and what does God want me to learn?"  How can I become a better servant to my Master by going through such an experience?"  How may I help someone else one day by this experience?"  "What should my response be during this experience?" "How can I be broken so God can humble me and help me to have compassion for others?"

This year has not been the rosiest or one that I would have ever asked for, but God knew of each and everything that would come into our lives, and He has the Master plan.  I can tell you that I love my Lord and want to serve Him with all my heart. My heart is broken when I see how Christians treat each other and judge others without knowing all the facts.  It literally breaks my heart and has driven me to tears of anguish (not anger)...pure anguish because it so hurts the heart of God!!!  Jesus said, "The fruit of the Spirit is LOVE....They will know that we are Christians by our LOVE!!!!!!  Jesus hates division amongst His people....

Through it all, I hope to be a light to my kids and to show forth the love of Christ in any situation, to forgive those who have trespassed against me, to love those who turn their noses up.....The love of Christ in a person's life is the greatest testimony that the world will ever see.

Lord, help me to continually call on you and to rise above the hate and division....

And as I write this,  my brokenness doesn't compare to those that are treated unjustly in other countries or even in our own country... As I see children all around the world that are used as pawns in the hands of evil men and how the poor are treated as if they were dogs and have no worth. My heart goes out to those who are treated unjustly and have no recourse whatsoever....The Lord will bring justice one day, but I will stand in the gap for those who cannot stand up for themselves!!!! God has given me more of a passion to help those who cannot help themselves and to seek justice for the least of these!!!!