Heavy Heart

I got sad news from a friend yesterday, and my heart breaks for her family.

I wish she could know that God's got a perfect plan for her - in spite of her apparent circumstances. We can look at our world with our eyes, and think that there is only one solution to our problems - "escape." But, God's plan isn't usually to run away. He encourages us to stand strong, to turn to Him when we think we can't stand, and then to TRUST that He can see us through the storm.

Peter walked on water - when he focused only on Jesus. As soon as he looked at the storm of his life, he failed.

Nehemiah built a wall around an entire city in 52 days - because he followed God and didn't run. He knew people were taunting his efforts, he was under attack from arrows and swords. Neh. 4:14 says, "After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, "Don't be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your people, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes." Nehemiah knew that only God could see them through to the right end.

Ultimately, Jesus hung on a cross, dying for our sins, so that we can have a personal relationship with his father. He didn't run away. Even as the world rejected him, He interceded on our behalf. He wants, more than anything, for us to turn to God when we face challenges too big to handle on our own (most challenges handled correctly are too big to handle ourselves).

This blog isn't meant to make anyone feel good. I hope it's not something you read for enjoyment (though I do hope you "enjoy" it). I pray, from the deepest part of my soul, that my journey will inspire you and challenge you to search for God in the midst of your own journey. Look to God, who promises to make the path straight (Pro. 3:5-6), who promises never to give you more than you can bear (1 Cor. 10:13), and who desires nothing more than to know you, love you, walk with you and carry you through when life gets hard (Rev. 3:20).