PEACE in tragedies...
OK, peeps, my life's been nuts but that's not a shock, right? Many things have occurred and to be honest, not good...not good at all. The kind of things that make you feel you've been hit hard in the gut and it brings tears to your eyes while leaving you speechless from pain.
BUT DO YOU KNOW WHAT? Now, if you are reading this and are not a blood bought Christian but are "religious", you may not understand. HOWEVER, if you are blood bought, this should be understood by you and give you a boost.
After my news, and there were multiple reports coming from various people....such as a heart attack of a dear friend's husband, the death of a dear friend's wife, a child critical in the hospital, a friend in prison facing 3 yrs hard time, finances being critical enough to cause panic attack of another, and onto this throw my own issues of living (pain, PTSD, finances, etc.). I went to where I couldn't be bothered and let the tears flow.
No words would come for a prayer. This is where God is so magnificently APPARENT. Oh, He's always around but the word of God tells us that when we do not know how to pray, the Holy Spirit will intercede for us with groaning....(Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.). All the words I could pray were "HELP GOD in this marriage! HELP GOD in this child! HELP GOD in this need for salvation! HELP GOD in this pain! HELP GOD, HELP! Guess what you get when you throw yourself at your Father's feet? Peace...
No, I am not "happy" as happiness is due to what my circumstances are. BUT I HAVE PEACE in knowing beyond all doubt that God, my Father, Jesus Christ my Saviour and the blessed Holy Spirit are with me and that all things, whether I understand or not, will be OK. God has promised in Jeremiah 29:11 that He has a good plan for my life, not one of harm. God has promised He is not a man that He can lie (1 Samuel 15:29). God has said to give Him my cares because He cares about me (1 Peter 5:7). God has said He's provided my peace (John 14:27). So, what is my "job" in all this tragedies?
PRAY with faith and believe (This means to ask, knowing in my gut God is who He says and will do what He says)
TRUST and wait (This is accordance to the first statement of KNOWING and wait means God's time not mine. He's not a McDonald's drive thru and even there you WAIT)
Yes, the God who holds all of eternity and this world in His hands is so loving and gentle that I can ask (pray), have faith & believe & trust He will only do what is in my best interest no matter how things may look.
Yes, my heart is still broken but God's promised me, though it is broken and I cry tears from sorrow, that HE WILL, not maybe, but WILL bind me up in my brokenness and give me liberty (Isiah 61:1). He has also promised to not leave me alone no matter where I am or what I am facing (John 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.)
Never doubt, God is so good!
BUT DO YOU KNOW WHAT? Now, if you are reading this and are not a blood bought Christian but are "religious", you may not understand. HOWEVER, if you are blood bought, this should be understood by you and give you a boost.
After my news, and there were multiple reports coming from various people....such as a heart attack of a dear friend's husband, the death of a dear friend's wife, a child critical in the hospital, a friend in prison facing 3 yrs hard time, finances being critical enough to cause panic attack of another, and onto this throw my own issues of living (pain, PTSD, finances, etc.). I went to where I couldn't be bothered and let the tears flow.
No words would come for a prayer. This is where God is so magnificently APPARENT. Oh, He's always around but the word of God tells us that when we do not know how to pray, the Holy Spirit will intercede for us with groaning....(Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.). All the words I could pray were "HELP GOD in this marriage! HELP GOD in this child! HELP GOD in this need for salvation! HELP GOD in this pain! HELP GOD, HELP! Guess what you get when you throw yourself at your Father's feet? Peace...
No, I am not "happy" as happiness is due to what my circumstances are. BUT I HAVE PEACE in knowing beyond all doubt that God, my Father, Jesus Christ my Saviour and the blessed Holy Spirit are with me and that all things, whether I understand or not, will be OK. God has promised in Jeremiah 29:11 that He has a good plan for my life, not one of harm. God has promised He is not a man that He can lie (1 Samuel 15:29). God has said to give Him my cares because He cares about me (1 Peter 5:7). God has said He's provided my peace (John 14:27). So, what is my "job" in all this tragedies?
PRAY with faith and believe (This means to ask, knowing in my gut God is who He says and will do what He says)
TRUST and wait (This is accordance to the first statement of KNOWING and wait means God's time not mine. He's not a McDonald's drive thru and even there you WAIT)
Yes, the God who holds all of eternity and this world in His hands is so loving and gentle that I can ask (pray), have faith & believe & trust He will only do what is in my best interest no matter how things may look.
Yes, my heart is still broken but God's promised me, though it is broken and I cry tears from sorrow, that HE WILL, not maybe, but WILL bind me up in my brokenness and give me liberty (Isiah 61:1). He has also promised to not leave me alone no matter where I am or what I am facing (John 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.)
Never doubt, God is so good!
Replies
I am not a Christian but I do appreciate you sharing your faith here. I\'m not much for any organized religion. I take a lot of my beliefs from different religions and live the best life I can. When it comes to a belief that there is a God out there I know there is a powerful omnipresent being that has great influences on my life. Thank you for sharing your moments of pain and how your faith has helped you become peaceful about all of life\'s crazy happenings. I will keep you in my heart.
Laura
How true! The song \"Praise you in this storm\" has a great quote in it, \"You are you you are, no matter where I am\"....that gives me so much peace when my life is quickly spiraling down the drain. It\'s so comforting to know that God has always been there and taken care of His people, and he\'s not going to start forsaking His children starting with me and my little problems. It\'s important to stay focused, although it\'s rarely easy! Keep up the faithful attitude in these hard times and God WILL come through. That\'s a promise from Him!
Let it be done according to your faith . . . . :)
OK, to all who replied I say a grateful thank you. MUCH MORE HAS OCCURRED AND IS UNREAL but truly an answer to prayer! MIRACLE is more accurate.
The dear friend\'s wife who was \"technically\" dead, on life support, all organs shut down and just waiting for \"technical\" brain waves to cease to make it \"official dead\" suddenly came out of all medical meltdown!! How? GOD & PRAYERS! Family contacted the husband regarding how many funeral cards to order and wife was alert and actually was able to speak to my friend and say \"Cancel the cards. They aren\'t needed.\" HOW GOOD IS GOD & AMAZING?
The critical little boy, (miracle) bed located after the hospital which was closest was not sure a bed would be available but would call back later IF. PRAISE GOD! BED LOCATED BOY ADMITTED CLOSE TO FAMILY! He too is not completely out of the woods but is doing better. THIS IS PRAYER & GOD WORKING!!
Last but not least, friend\'s husband was thoroughly checked and all was ok with heart. It was determined to be something back related affecting the heart/breathing. PRAISE GOD AGAIN!
Miracles, people, MIRACLES! God is still real, He still cares, He still answers prayer. Praise God the Father, God the Son & God the Holy Spirit!!!! Mighty is He!
WOW! That is wonderful!!! I am so happy that miracles are happening!!! Keep up the faith.
Laura
PTL! As Peter said \" To whom should I go Lord? You have the words of everlasting life.\" Keep on praying God is with you!
Laura - Yeah, miracles....again, God leaves me speechless. And, honey, anybody that really knows me, SPEECHLESS is a miracle in itself! LOL
NAN - Yeah, after all the above tragedies, I got to be the \"shot-gun\" rider in the ambulance to a DV (domestic violence). Again, God was with me. Each of the 6 I\'ve been involved in has increased in violence and this was the worst. However, God kept me calm, prayed on route, and I stand again, in amazement at His timing precisely to put me where I am needed in a split second......AMAZING LOVE HOW CAN IT BE? YOU MY KING WOULD DIE FOR ME? AMAZING LOVE, I KNOW IT\'S TRUE...AND IT\'S MY JOY TO FOLLOW YOU, IN ALL YOU DO, I HONOR YOU.
Hey J,
I reread all the amazing stories again today and I needed to be reminded that God is close by and standing with me during a time of family craziness here at home. Like the Inn is full but they keep on coming.... and everyone has nothing good to say, I yi yi!
Praise the Lord for this testimony it helped to reseat my faith and go forth this day!
Ain\'t that what we are all called to do...encourage and uplift and bear one another\'s burden? Glad I could be of help.....Thank you so much for the update that I was of use.....Hugs & love......hang tight.