Through a series of events, I was reminded that no matter how good or how bad things are going, as long as they are still 'going', it can get better. Sure, that doesn't mean that the things that have troubled you are going to no longer exist, return to their previous state or change... history just doesn't do that... that's why it's called the 'past'. However, one thing that does change as long as things are 'going', is how we learn to deal with them.
See, sometimes we think that things just happen because life happens, and sometimes that can be true, but through these instances, do you ever recall thinking, "wow, I won't be taking that for granted anymore", or how about this "I wish I would have had just one more chance to do..."? Well, the great part about going through tragedy is that, it is the only way to learn 'how' to go through it. Now, this is where it gets tricky! So, you might ask me, "Angie, why on earth do we even need to go through tragedy to learn how to go through it again? Why can't we just go through it one big time and be done?"
Let's explore this...
"And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes: there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." Revelations 21:4
I like this verse because I think it is very critical to remember that there IS going to be a time of no more sorrow. Most of the time that we feel so much despair in our pain is because we forget that there IS an end to it! If there were no death, sorrow and crying, would we even recognize the absense of it? Nope. Be realistic here; the truth is that if you were not suffering from anything, ever, you would never feel the need of a Savior, correct?
Let's continue...
"...that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." Romans 8:4-6
Wait! Did the scripture just say to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life... and peace? Now, this scripture indicates that we are given a choice in whether or not we have death, or life and peace. So, if that's the case, who is responsible again for us not having it? That's right, us.
This doesn't mean that we don't need to grieve; we do. Even Jesus grieved. When the Pharisees were looking for ways to 'bring Jesus down', there was a situation in the synagogue that as Jesus entered, He was aware of a man with a withered hand. Seeing that the Pharisees were more concerned about whether or not He would heal this man on the Sabbath, rather than the mans need itself, Jesus grieved.
" And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other." Mark 3:5
Notice how quickly, Jesus went from grieving to healing. Grief in itself, is not bad. Rather, very natural... but also something we should not dwell in as it prevents the next step, which is healing, bringing glory to God in the process. God wants to be a part of that process...
"Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10
So, in a nutshell, Satan brings the sorrow and despair to set us back and separate us from God... God allows it because there is a chance for us to grow in this pain and be even closer to Him than we were before the sorrowful situation... We choose whether or not to see that transition and accept it for an opportunity to grow in Christ or to just be the victim of circumstance.
Take this thought for a spin...
Have you ever had your water shut off or gone to a third world country with no running water? How about just gone camping where there were no showers for days at a time? How did you feel when your water came back on, or you returned from that other country or camping? See where I'm headed?
Now, ponder this... how long did it take to forget to appreciate the exact same thing all over again?
Through these instances in our family recently, I have to be honest... I understand drama less, and am quicker to drop chaotic situations to avoid wasting my time with petty issues. However, I have learned to love deeper, appreciate more, see truer and long for the things that really last. Memories, love, true friendship, patience, kindness and most of all, my relationship with God.
I pray that we never forget to appreciate our salvation or what we were saved from. I pray that we will make the decision each and every day, to reach out to those around us and show God's love to all we come in contact with. That God will use us to do His will, and that we will appreciate the blessings in our lives. In Jesus' name, amen.
