The Train Wreck

 

We've talked about the Fact, Faith, Feeling Train before.  It helps to visualize the place feelings should have in determining our life decisions.  

There may be those around us, however, who have been letting their feelings determine their actions.  As a result, a train wreck has occurred.  This train wreck is affecting not only them, but their loved ones.

How are we going to respond to their personal train wreck?  If we let our  feelings determine our response, then we are creating a whole new train wreck and we are no different from the one to whom we are reacting.

Angels of Comfort

If we feel down, discouraged or depressed, spending time with a friend can bring some relief. It doesn't change the situation, but it can be a balm to our bleeding heart.  A kind word, a hug, and the comforting depth of relationship that comes from years of friendship will help in the moment.

Friends are like angels who minister to us, except sometimes our friends don't even realize that they are God's instruments of comfort.

TV~   (Today's Verse)
Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him.  [Matthew 4:11]

The Plan B Pill

Often, we have dreams for our children, whether conscious or subconscious.  We have a "Plan A" for our child.   It could be in terms of a career - envisioning how they could change the world through their unique gifts.  Or we could dream about the type of person they would one day marry, or have a picture of what life will look like once they are married and have children.  Then, one day our child makes a choice that alters forever the dream that we had. 



It is then that we have to be realistic and move to "Plan B," even though we may feel disappointed, sad or angry about the death of our Plan A Dream.  The "Plan B pill," or the "Mourning-after Pill" can be a difficult pill to swallow, yet our loving God will bring about His beautiful will, even through Plan B.



TV~  (Today's Verse)
But Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for am I in God's place?  As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive." [Genesis 50:20]

Swimming with the Sharks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When our children are young, we protect them from the dangerous elements of life - things that could harm them in any possible way.  We strive to provide a safe haven of love, care and protection.  Yet eventually the day comes when they leave our shelter and have to "swim with the sharks."  Then, our way of protection changes to prayer and fasting.

These young adults need to protect themselves in the open water by putting on the full armor of God.  Vigilance is critical, for the shark is looking for weakness in their armor.  If the shark finds a chink in the armor, our child may succomb to the ways of the open water and will be maimed or killed.  Nevertheless, God can bring about redemption through repentence.



TV~  (Today's Verse)
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so   that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.  [Ephesians 6:11]

God Understands

The Jews were called "The Children of Israel."  They were God's chosen people - his children.

He led them very specifically - with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.  They completely disregarded His love and care for them, making sinful choices such as being ungrateful, complaining, and loving other gods.  There were sad realities for the Israelites, because of their choices.  Nevertheless, God still loved them and did not abandon them.

God understands our pain, when the choices of our beloved children are grevious unto us.

TV~  (Today's Verse)
He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.  [Exodus 13:22]

Stuff, then Heart

Years back, when my eldest children were small, I heard someone say in reference to children, "When they're little, they break your stuff.  When they're big, they break your heart." 


I have three adult children.   My heart has been broken three times.  It can be tempting to question whether all the hard work of raising children was time well-spent when our heart is being broken.  Yet, we cling to the Lord and to his promises...


TV~  (Today's Verse)
He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised...  [Luke 4:18b]

Being a Friend to One Who is Grieving

Job was in both deep emotional distress and tremendous physical pain.  Three of his friends contacted one another and then decided to visit Job together.  Their purpose:  To mourn with and comfort Job.  They hung out with him for an entire week, showing their friendship through their presence, their silence and by joining him in visible signs of grief (tearing their clothes and sprinkling dust on their heads).  Later, the things they said weren't necessarily helpful to Job, but their initial response to his tragic situation was kind and sincere.

When a friend is grieving, our caring and kind presence can be a balm to their pain, even though we can't take it away.

TV~  (Today's Verse)
Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his own place; Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite: for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him. [Job 2:11]