How Can This Be?

As I was driving home from dinner this evening, my mind was full of several distressing circumstances in my life and in the lives of those around me. One of my mentors is in the hospital with a sickness that the doctors can’t figure out how to best treat. A friend’s husband of fewer than 2 years is also in the hospital in a fight for his life. Another friend’s mom is frail and feeble, and some decisions need to be made. Meanwhile, another friend is having relational conflicts that 2 years ago would have seemed utterly impossible…yet, here they are.

What keep bouncing in my mind was the question, “How can this be?” How can these amazing people be going through these trying times? How can these people survive (and in some cases thrive) in these insurmountable circumstances? How can the God who loves these folks (and you) not intervene?

I do not have the answer to those questions…maybe some guesses or assumptions but nothing that I am willing to hang my hat on except the fact that we are living in a fallen world. Since the Garden of Eden, the prince of evil has been spreading his darkness everywhere. And, I am so glad that we have an answer for sin and that is Jesus Christ, and one day we will see Him face to face. But, in the meantime, it just might be a mean time.

If you are in a “mean” time right now, there are three little snippets that I would like you to consider. One is for relational challenges, one for surprise attacks, and one for hurts…check out the one that best applies to your life today and save the rest for a future time.

Relational Challenges:

I thank You for the friends who’ve failed to meet my soul’s deep need…They’ve driven me to the Savior’s feet upon His love to feed. I’m grateful too, through all life’s way no one could satisfy. And so I’ve found in You alone my rich, my full supply! ~Florence White Willett

I have this little poem memorized because I need it. I often go to people to meet my soul’s deep needs instead of Jesus and they just can’t do it. This reminder keeps me focused on the main thing.

Surprise Attacks

Servant of Christ, that unexpected thing that has you in a tailspin…Jesus saw it coming all along. He’s fully prepared for it and has prepared you for it more than you realize. Don’t panic or knee-jerk. Don’t assume the worst. Seek His wisdom, confident you’ll receive it and you will. ~Beth Moore

The Sovereign of God is often my Anchor, and it is secure during the storm.

Hurts

When we invite our God, Healer of the broken, to heal the pain, thoughts, and emotions then He truly will. He can create a life where it may not always seem perfect, but it’ll always be light because God is carrying the situation with one hand and holding you with the other. He is both the God of power over your situations and the God of love carrying you through. Hidden in Plain Sight by Nash Pillay

God is able to be both at the same time.

Not sure where this finds you. You may be in the middle of some extremely difficult times, or you might be coming out on the other side. Let’s remember that these fiery trials do not come by accident but by the hand of God to test our faith. How are you doing on the test?