Heavy, heavy stuff...
I sat down last week and thought of each person and situation...and realized just how many people I love are going through really tough trials right now.
It's heartbreaking and overwhelming, but the one thing we have all been able to cling to through it all is that God is still in control, He makes all things work for the good of those who love Him, and He has not left us or forsaken us.
All I can do in the moments when I feel so overwhelmed and sad is pray.
It seems simple, but it truly is the only thing I can offer that I know does make a difference.
When I was younger, our Kid's Church program took over a Sunday morning service. We sang our worship songs, played some of our games, and went through one of our teachings. The teaching was on prayer and the main message we left for the congregation was that Prayer Changes Things. Many people in the church remembered that simple phrase, and it was used a lot in the years to come. It's easy to remember, but it's also very true.
It's hard sometimes, because when we don't get what we want, we often feel like our prayers don't make a difference or that they aren't "working". But that is so far from the truth. Even though God knows about each and every situation in the lives of those around us, He still commands us in His Word to pray for one another.
Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
(James 5:13-16, NIV)
Healing does not always come on this side of eternity, nor are all of our problems automatically solved with a few simple words offered up in prayer. But our first response in all situations, good and bad, should be to talk them over with God. Whether it be a situation we want to change or a situation that we are thankful for, it's important that we take the time to talk to God about it.
In the midst of all these trials surrounding me, a couple of songs have really ministered to my heart. I've shared them with a few friends because the words are just so powerful and true. One is Promises by Sanctus Real (I attached the video below) and the other is You Are by Colton Dixon. If you have not heard either one, or haven't really listened to the words, I would encourage you to do so. They are both beautiful and often bring tears to my eyes.
This time in my life has been a hard one. It hurts me to see and experience the things going on with the people I love. But I also know that God still has a plan, and I either have to trust Him...or not trust Him at all. I can't just trust Him when life is going good. It's always or never. Even though I don't understand everything, I am thankful that He does...and that He will turn all of these situations into good...somehow, some way.
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1 comment:
last year at this time I felt the same way. so many of our friends and people around us were going through such painful and hard things. it was a rough year and sometimes hard to see GOd's plan. but i learned that these trials can either draw you closer to God or farther away and I worked toward the first. prayers for you and those around you.
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