Blessed to be a blessing

“The true measure of a person’s character is how one handles one’s failures, not successes.”

― Bill Courtney, Against the Grain: A Coach's Wisdom on Character, Faith, Family, and Love

Larry and I watched "Undefeated" on Netflix yesterday. What a powerful story of young men rising above their circumstances in great part because someone, their football coach, loved them enough to give them hope and not give up on them.

Not every child starts the race at the same starting line.

This documentary along with another one - "Rich Hill" - which follows three young boys who also grew up in poverty without the security of parents who provided a safe and stable home - these two shows reminded me of just how much I have been blessed. It made me sad to watch these young men struggle with things they shouldn't have to worry about at such tender ages. But what can I do with that feeling?

I have always had parents who provided for me, and I didn't have to grow up worrying about where my next meal was coming from or if I my dad was even going to come home at night. It's too easy for me to just get up and walk away from the T.V. and forget the reality that many young boys and girls deal with every day. I did nothing to deserve the wonderful family and home I had just as those kids didn't do anything to deserve the struggles they face.

My responsibility as a Christian is help those who do not start this race of life with the same advantages that I have had. God didn't bless me because I am his favorite. He gave me blessings that I am supposed to use to lighten the load of others. It is truly better to give than to receive.

Acts 20:35New Living Translation (NLT)

35 And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

How many times does God tell us to help those who need help? Once should be enough but there are multiple times He tells to to help the poor. It's our job as Christians. How can we seen people hurting and refuse to do what we can do to help?

Hebrews 13:16

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

One of the last things Jesus said before ascending back to heaven was about this very thing. When we help others is just as though we are helping Jesus Himself. But when we fail to help those we can help, it's just like we are turning our backs on Jesus.

It's very easy to sit in my comfortable home with plenty of everything I need and shut my eyes to the poverty around me. Dear Jesus, help me to see what You put before me and not just shake my head about the unfairness of it all, but to actually do whatever I can to make a difference.

Matthew 25:35-40 New King James Version (NKJV)

35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

Holy Father, help me to see what You see. Help me to have compassion that doesn't end when the movie ends but that makes me move to do what I can to help those You put on my path. Forgive me for taking my comfortable home and wonderful family for granted - as if I did anything to deserve such blessings. Help me to see those blessings as instruments to help those who do not have what I have.

Thank you for Your patience and mercy and forgiveness. Thank you for giving us the perfect example of how we are to live for others by sending Your Son, who was not born into wealth, but born in poverty.

The Creator of the Universe humbled Himself and did not even have a home to call His own, yet He gave so much to others. Thank You, Jesus, for Your great love and compassion, for even me. Purify my heart and create a clean spirit within me. Use my life as You see fit and help me to see what you have for me to do and then to do it.

​​Part 3 - Indescribable -   https://youtu.be/GhsGrkY67I4

Our God is an awesome God!

Genesis 1 says in the Beginning, God.

God said "Let there be light". And there was light. He made the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night.  God created the Sun and the moon.

He spoke them into existence.  Wow, right?  But after watching this video, seeing the massive power that is our SUN, I get just a glimpse into  how powerful God is.

This is a quote from Louie Giglio's Indescribable video series.  Think about it: 

Scientists say it would take the gross national product of the United States of America 7 million years for our local power company to run the Sun for just one second. 

One second!

and God spoke that awesome ball of power into existence!

Do you think there's anything our God cannot do?

If we had any idea of His awesome power, we'd be on our knees worshiping Him every single day.  And as amazing as His power is, there is one other thing that blows me away about our God.

He loves us. The Creator of the entire Universe loves us!

We are this tiny speck in the Universe, so insignificant when you think about it. And yet, out of all His amazing  creation, we are His very special possession. Deuteronomy 7:6 He loves you and me so much that He sent his only begotten Son to die a cruel death just to pay the debt for our sins. He didn't deserve it.  We deserved death, but Jesus stepped in to take our place. John 3:16-17

 Why?

 He wants you and me to be with Him and to share in the love between the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit -that perfect love.  That's what He desires for us - that we will know His love and be with Him for all Eternity.

I don't know about you, but I'm pretty ashamed of how little time I give to my Father.  I'm a little sad to think how many times I push Him aside so that I can do what I want to do instead of spending time with Him.  I ignore Him and take Him for granted, but still He loves me.

One of my very favorite parables in the Bible is in Luke 15.  You'll recognize the passage as The Prodigal Son. 

I am the prodigal son.

  I wanted my inheritance so I could go spend money and do things God told me not to do, because I wanted to have fun, to be happy. What did my Father know about that kind of stuff? Let me tell you.  I found out He knew so much more than I did.  I found out that all wanted for me was eternal good, not the 5 minute of happiness I might find on my own.

 When I realized how empty chasing my own dreams and plans had made my life, I wanted to go back Home, to Jesus.  I was so ashamed and humbled beyond words. It's hard to face the fact of our sinfulness without feeling discouraged and hopeless.  But as soon as I turned back and repented, my Father saw me coming and ran to me.  You know, He didn't one time stop to scold me for the wasted years of my life. He knew how much I was hurting. He knew my heart.  He knew how sorry I was. And He wrapped me in His love and forgave me of my sins, just like they never happened. 

I have been forgiven so much!  Haven't you?

So why, after receiving such undeserved grace and mercy ourselves from the Creator of Universe, no less, how do we not show mercy and grace to others who are just like us?  Sinners in need of the Savior. We all are Prodigal sons at one time or another,  who long to come to back home so desperately.  

I am so thankful that God is merciful and removes my sins as far as east is from the west.  I just wished I could do the same thing for others who have failed, just like I do every day.  I can't cast the first stone, can you? 

One of my favorite passages is the woman caught in adultery.  The self-righteous Pharisees brought her before Jesus and accused her that heinous sin. They felt perfectly in their rights as God's chosen ones to sit in judgment over this woman.  But do you remember what Jesus said to them?

I do.  It's written on my heart and in my brain.

"he who is without sin, cast the first stone."

I am a human being who fails to follow God's direction for my  life.  I take charge all the time, instead of listening and obeying Him.  As a sinner myself, how do I sit in judgment against someone else who is a sinner, just like me?  

The Creator of the Universe, our Almighty God is so good that we cannot use one "Holy" to describe His righteousness.  Our Father is HOLY HOLY HOLY.  and yet He is willing to forgive us our sins, and forget them, to give us a clean start every day, if we need it.  But I, as unrighteous as I am, cannot show mercy to another human being who has fallen and needs forgiveness.  That's a shame and it does not honor my God. 

God is Holy, Holy, Holy.  And for Him, sin offends Him so greatly that He will never tolerate sin in His Presence. Therefore, if it were up to us, not one could ever stand in His presence.  But as Christians, we are covered by the blood of our Perfect, spotless Lamb, our Savior and Redeemer.  God looks at us and sees His precious Son, His righteousness becomes our robe of white.

 

We still sin, falling short of all He has purposed for His children, don't we?  I lived a terrible life full of selfishness and evil, but that was so many years ago, I  tell myself.  But the sad thing is I know how much mercy I've received from my Abba Father, and yet I fail to show mercy to others who are struggling.  And then God is called to  forgive me again, for my self-righteousness - and he does it, because of Jesus.

It's hard to forgive, but until we learn to love like Jesus, to give people the same  mercy He gives us, we will keep falling short of His plan for us. We miss out on an incredible relationship with our Father and Savior because we don't submit to His will and simply obey.   I want God to be proud of me.  I want others to see Jesus shining thru me.  He cannot do that when I'm living in a state of un-forgiveness.

Jesus said to forgive.  He didn't say wait until someone is worthy of the forgiveness.  He didn't say wait until I know they're really sorry.  No.  He said forgive them,  as many times as necessary.  It's not my job to judge.  It's my job to love and to forgive - seven time seventy.  He said forgive those who persecute you, and do good to those who despitefully use you.  He didn't say it was easy.  He didn't say, "if you feel like it, forgive..."   He said "Love your enemies, do good to those who use you, forgive..."

What's in it for me, right?  Thought you'd never ask.  = )

Luke  6            Love for Enemies
“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.
“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Judging Others
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
 

​All we have to do to receive the blessings God promises is to obey Him and trust that He knows how hard it is to forgive when we have been hurt.  He is faithful and if He calls us to forgive, and we finally decide to do things His way, He will bless us for all Eternity.​

Oh Father, forgive me for failing to forgive as I've been forgiven.  Help me to love like You love.  Purify my heart and renew a right spirit within me.  Thank you for being so merciful and gracious to me. Thank you being ready to pick me up each time I fall.  I love You LORD, and will praise Your Name for all Eternity.  In the blessed Name of my Savior, I pray.

--

Coram Deo

 

Carol Draehn

214-395-8244 cell

 

 

                                                                                                                                                 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last Thursday, I found a penny in the parking lot at Walmart.  It was laying at the corner of my car in a spot where I had to walk right by it, to get to my door.  Big deal, right?  It's not unusual to find coins on a parking lot.  

What made this different?

That morning, as I drove to Walmart before I going to work, I had prayed, thanking God for all He has done for me – His Provision, Protection, Salvation, Rescuing, Comforting, His carrying me thru tough times...and I thanked Him especially for putting pennies in uncommon places, as a reminder to me that I can trust Him.  I told God that I knew some people might think I’m crazy for thinking the pennies I find are from Him, but I know they are.  Too many times I’ve found a penny at just the right moment, when I really needed to be reminded that He is with me.

When I found that penny Thursday morning, just after my prayer of gratitude, I knew, once again, He was very clearly showing me how much I’m loved and that He sees me, and He cares about what concerns me.  Wow!  What did I ever do to deserve that? Not one thing. It's just that I am His daughter and He loves me.

When I got to  work, I was so excited, I needed to tell someone, so I picked my friend, Tina.  She gets the penny thing because God uses pennies for her, too.  We celebrated His goodness and then tried to go back to work.

Well, yesterday, Thursday February 1st, I had an issue on one my files and was feeling a little frustrated.  So, I stopped, and picked up this little paperback devotional book that Tina had shared with me.  I flipped it open randomly,  and it opened to a devotional about Growing Gratitude.  I read the first paragraph –

Would you like to cultivate a greater sense of gratitude?  George Herbert, a seventeenth-century British poet, encourages readers toward that goal in his poem “Gratefulness”.

“Thou that hast given so much to me, give one thing more: a grateful heart.”

I immediately, stopped and thought about how much God has always blessed me. In that moment, I sat at my desk, 68 years old, feeling healthy and strong.  My mind is clear, I really have no aches or pains,  and I am physically and mentally able to work every day.  I realized what a blessing my good health has been, because not everyone is given that particular blessing.  

I showed Tina the quote from George Herbert and thanked her for leaving that little booklet for me to pick up.  

Fast forward an hour … I went to the restroom, and as I started to enter one of the stalls, there on the floor were 3 pennies and a dime.

I couldn’t believe it!  I had just acknowledge how much God  has blessed me, and then He gave me a little hug – three hugs actually,  and I didn’t know what the dime was about, but hey, I’ll take anything He gives me.

I rushed back to Tina and dragged her into the restroom to see my "message from God".  We looked at the coins on the floor and laughed, but then, here is the best part!  Tina told me that after I had shared my Walmart penny story, she was driving to work and praying.  As she talked to God, she said, "Lord, You gave Carol that penny to let her know You heard her prayer.  Would You give me a dime?”   Oh my goodness!

The dime was for my friend, Tina.  We could hardly contain ourselves!

What I have taken away from these two penny stories is God wants me to have a heart of Gratitude.  He wants me to acknowledge what all He does for me every day.  Not because he needs to hear it, but because I need to remember that all good things come from Him.  And practicing Gratitude is an act of worship.  

I may be on my deathbed tomorrow, but today, I’m healthy.  Thank You, Father!  Each moment is a gift from Him.  He puts up with my ignoring Him and my  taking everything He gives me without ever saying, thank You, Father, I know that was You!  Thank You!”  How long does it take to acknowledge how good He is in every circumstance we face?  He bails us out of life struggles, and we don’t even realize it is Him. Or maybe, He reminds us with a penny on the floor, that He is always with us and faithful, so faithful.

One of my favorite verses (I have many) reminds me  that I have a loving Father who stoops down to help me walk, He picks me up when I fall.  He never makes me feel unloved even when I don’t act very lovable. As a mom, I understand that kind of patience and love for my children, but His love is so much deeper than even that love I feel for my family.  

 Hosea 11:3 New Living Translation (NLT)

“When Israel was a child, I loved him,
    and I called my son out of Egypt.
² But the more I called to him,
    the farther he moved from me,
offering sacrifices to the images of Baal
    and burning incense to idols.
³ I myself taught Israel how to walk,
    leading him along by the hand.
But he doesn’t know or even care
    that it was I who took care of him.
⁴ I led Israel along
    with my ropes of kindness and love.
I lifted the yoke from his neck,
    and I myself stooped to feed him.

What a beautiful picture of a Father with his willful, selfish children.  Amazing love, we can't even begin to comprehend.

  I want to have a grateful heart so that I never forget that it was and is God who carries me thru the good times, and the not so good times.  And although it is much easier to see the "good things" as blessings,  He tells us to be thankful in ALL things.  I don't want anyone who is struggling with health issues, or family problems, to think, even for a moment, that God isn't blessing them, just as He is blessing me.  Sometimes the greatest blessings are life struggles that draw us closer to Him, or become a tool that we can use to testify to others about His faithfulness.  I have seen the most powerful witnesses for Christ in  my dear friends who are struggling with health issues.  Their faith strengthens my faith.  Some of our most godly forefathers were blessed with terrible struggles - they testified until the end of their lives.  And we remember their faithfulness thru those struggles.  They knew Jesus, and they trusted His love thru every lash, every stoning, even until death. God loved those people and He loves us. If He allows a struggle in our lives, as He did with our forefathers, and He most certainly will at one point or another, we can trust that He has purpose for that struggle that will outweigh the pain, the moment you step into His Presence.  We have no idea what He has planned for us, but He shows us His great love every day, if we just look for it. We can trust that Love, and know that love will carry us thru any struggle.

In all things, give thanks.

"Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness." Colossians 2:7

"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful." Colossians 3:15

"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Colossians 4:2

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” James 1:17

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." Philippians 4:6

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.” Psalm 103:1-5

"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

"Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” Psalm 107:1

"Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,” Ephesians 5:20

Coram Deo

Pure and Undefiled Religion

I received an email this morning from my friend, Oscar, who along with his precious wife and helper, Emma, care for several orphans along with their own 3 children. They also provide when they can to other children in their village who have very little due to the health of their parent or guardian. Sometimes all these children really have is a roof over their heads, but they have Oscar and Emma, and he does not turn a blind eye to their needs. Even when he has so little for the 12 orphans for whom hw cares, he still shares with the other children and some widows who are also living in desperate circumstances.

The Happy Choice compound has been transformed over the last few years. God has invited some of His children to be part of this work in a little village outside Kisumu in Kenya. Because God is faithful to provide, they now have a new hostel with bunk beds and blankets and mattresses, a new kitchen, a new latrine, water piped in from Kisumu and now electricity! Who would have ever believed that this was possible? Not me, I'm afraid. I didn't have that kind of understanding and faith. I do now. Praise God!

I am continually amazed at how God touches hearts for the children in this small villlage. How Oscar and Emma walk by faith, believing that God can do anything. And once again, He has provided through His children, electricity to the compound!

Our women's class is doing a study of James (which, by the way, I highly recommend.) and the lesson I did this morning was on pure and undefiled religion - "to care for the widows and orphans"... The prayers and financial support that is given by "well wishers", as Oscar calls them, is "pure and undefiled religion" - showing love and concern for those who cannot provide for themselves; loving our neighbor with actions instead of just empty words.

James asks the question: "Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him?" James 2:4

Oscar and Emma are rich in faith and it is clear that they love the Lord with all their hearts. When we help them, we are doing exactly what God has called us to do.

Sometimes it feels like what little I can do doesn't matter. There is always a need to be met that I personally cannot meet. I can only imagine how Oscar and Emma feel when they are confronted with with no food for the children, but they don't choose to do nothing, just because they cannot do much. They do what they can and trust God to provide. After all, He fed 5000 men with 2 loaves and 5 fish. I sometimes forget that.

James, the half-brother of Jesus, hits hard on this point of caring for those who cannot care for themselves.

James 2:14-17

What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."

God keeps reminding me to do what I can do. He doesn't require that I do what I am unable to do, just that I do what I can. This is how we show our love to God; we care for his people who are hurting.

I'm reminded of Lazarus and the rich man. The rich man had everything on earth and apparently couldn't even "see" Lazarus as he sat outside his gate, hungry and and in need of basic necessities.

But God saw Lazarus.

When they both died, Lazarus became the rich man and the rich man was in torment, begging for the salvation of his brothers who were still alive, but it was too late.

---------------

Oh, Lord, help me not get so caught up in my "wants and needs" that I fail to do what I can do to help those with less. Help me to do whatever I can do, no matter how insignificant it may seem.

In the Bible, You told us of the widow who gave all she had, and even though it was next to nothing, You honored her and even gave her a place in Holy Scripture - because she gave even more than she had. How will I ever be able to stand with those believers who are so self-sacrificing? Those precious believers like Oscar and Emma? Bless them, Lord, with riches greater than we could ever imagine! I sit at their feet, humbled by their love for others and their complete faith in You. I'm so thankful to know them, and I'm so thankful that Christ wraps me in His righteous as I stand before You, Father. Change my heart, make me more aware of the suffering around me instead of my focusing on my own little struggles. All Glory and Honor and Praise to You, because You alone are worthy to be praised! In the precious name of Jesus, our Savior, I pray. May Your perfect will be done. Amen.

October 11, 2013

Devotional – For God so loved the world

He loves each one of us, as if there were only one of us."

                                            — St. Augustine of Hippo
--

John 3:16 NLT

¹⁶ “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

I don't love anyone enough to give one of my children or grandchildren to save another's life. I just don't.

It's such a hard concept to imagine that God loves us sinners enough to allow His precious, perfect Son to come to earth knowing what He would endure: the ridicule, the beatings, the betrayals, the hate, the horrific death... but God chose to show His love for us through this sacrifice we can't comprehend.

HE LOVES US! The Creator of the Universe stepped down from Heaven with all it's glory, so that He could become our personal Savior; not just Almighty God who speaks and we tremble in awe and fear, but as our big Brother who would ultimately die in our place.

God wants us to know how very much He cares. He is not a distant God, but One who not only came to earth to live as a man enduring incredibly difficult circumstances, but our Savior sent His very Spirit to live in us.

The Holy Spirit of God knows our every struggle, battle, temptation, hurt, pain, everything about us. He is with us in those moments when no one understands the agony we're facing. HE understands because He is there! I think of all things I do or think or say through the course of any day that must offend Him and break His heart. Even so, He stays with me, prompting me to remember how much I'm loved. That love demands my mind, my heart, my body and soul. I'm compelled by this unexplainable love to live for Him, because He died for me.

God allowed His Son to suffer a life of pain and disappointment. Does that mean He didn't love His Son? No. It means He had a loving purpose far greater than the suffering. Through the suffering of His Son, the whole world could be saved and have the opportunity to spend Eternity with our Everlasting God. Was His suffering justified for such a great purpose? Jesus was willing to pay the price and He trusted His Father through the suffering because He believed the pain was worth it.

When I read the bible I see so many times when God allowed His children to suffer, but each time there was a purpose far greater than the suffering. What suffering could we not endure if it meant even one person might find Christ and be saved from Hell?

Wednesday night, in our Beth Moore study of James, she said something that grabbed my heart. I hope these words can translate the same intensity on paper as I felt when she said them:

"Do you not know how much God loves you? Do you think He doesn't love you enough to remove you from the pain you are facing right now if there was not a purpose much greater than the pain?"

As a parent, the only way I could watch my child hurt was if that hurt was the only way to healing. Watching a doctor realign a broken arm so it heals properly, holding the hand of a child as they receive painful fbut necessary treatment, I could stand by and allow that kind of pain, because I know the good it serves, and I know what might happen if I don't allow the pain. And that's exactly what my Father does. He allows pain and suffering when the pain and suffering is overshadowed by the good that can be accomplished through it.

 One of my daddy's favorite passages in the Bible (mine too) is in Genesis. Joseph is second in command over all Egypt. He's come through incredible struggles: his brothers hated him and were willing to let him die in a cistern, but then decided to make a little cash off their little brother. They sold him to slave traders who sold him to man who had a wife with a wandering eye. Joseph was the best slave he could be, but when he refused Mrs. Potipher's wiles, she falsely accused him of betraying his master Potiphar. He was thrown into jail where he was a model prisoner. After years in prison for a crime he did not commit, finally, he was called to appear before Pharaoh. There was a purpose for the suffering.

 God allowed every painful, unfair event in Joseph's life. Why?

 Pharaoh would make Joseph his right hand man and put him in charge of everything. Joseph's suffering had prepared him for this very moment, for this purpose. Joseph saved Egypt from the famine that came. He saved surrounding countries that came to Egypt to buy food. He saved his own family, his father Jacob and his 12 brothers.

When the brothers came to buy food from Egypt, they had idea that it was their little brother who sat before them as they asked for food. Joseph knew them right away and he felt love towards these unworthy brothers. When they finally realized who he was, they were afraid for their lives. But Joseph eased their minds.

 Genesis 50:19-21 NIV

¹⁹ But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? ²⁰ You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. ²¹ So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.

I don't understand the suffering around me. But I do believe that it breaks His heart when one of His children hurts. I believe a tear comes from His eye, when a child's "broken arm" needs to be reset, but He knows without that momentary pain, the "arm" will never heal.

 

Beth Moore says that maybe we should consider the suffering God allows in our lives as a gift.  A gift intended to help us or someone else grow in faith and in the conviction that God provides all we need.  When we cannot stand by ourselves, we turn to our Father.  He pulls us close and gives us divine strength from His unlimited supply.

God doesn't remove every hurt, struggle or pain, but I trust His love and His perfect purpose for those He loves.