Heavy

It has been a heavy week.

• A friend has lost a parent.
• Another friend has a grandparent in the hospital.
• A pregnant friend is having some scary health concerns.
• Another family is dealing with severe burns of their 6 year old daughter.
• And another family of a friend lost their mom to cancer.
• And there is the ongoing suffering of people I love, in Haiti.

My heart hurts for each of these dear friends and their situations.

It is the kind of week that makes me ask  questions like:

What the heck is going on here?

Why does God allow this kind of suffering?

Why do bad things happen to good people?

 
I have been praying on my face crying out to God for each situation.  Fortunately, God is very loving and kind.  And patient.  And merciful.

God has reminded me of what I know to be Truth:

We know that we are children of God 

and that the world around us is

under the power and control of 

the evil one.  

1 John 5:19

This world is under the power and control of the evil one.

THIS WORLD.

For me, this changes the question into

How does ANYTHING good EVER happen?

It forces me to a realization and place of absolute humility and gratitude.

For my life is good.  Very, very good.

I am blessed.

Even amidst the pain and suffering. (and self imposed "stress".)

And I have known both pain and suffering.  Well.  Very well.

For pain and suffering are part of life.

As much as joy and laughter are.

I also know that the God I serve can and will take what the enemy means for evil (ie to harm God's children) and use if for His glory.  What Satan means for evil, God can use for good, somehow, some way.

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD.

"They are plans for good and not for disaster, 

to give you a future and a hope".  

Jeremiah 29:11

		Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all the strategies and tricks of the Devil.  For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms.
		Use every piece of God's armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm.
		Stand your ground, putting on the sturdy belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness.
		For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News, so that you will be fully prepared.
		In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan.
		Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
		Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere.

Ephesians 6:11-18

Pray with me.

Oh how the devil must hate it
when what he means for evil (the suffering and pain)
pushes us closer to the Lord Almighty,
and strengthens our faith,
our resolve,
and our prayers.

Ha ha, Satan. TAKE THAT!

Pray with me, people.