Our education system is experiencing some huge problems and our children are right in the middle of it. Many people have lost the skill to agree to disagree without hatred and retribution. Our culture has confused so many people that they question the molecules that created them – their DNA. The suicide rate with our young people continues to skyrocket and untreated mental illness is rampant.
Paul talks to us about how to respond when we have multiple trials and concerns in our lives –
"We are pressed on every side by troubles but we are not crushed. We are perplexed but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down but we are not destroyed." (2 Cor. 4: 8 & 9)
I need to know – how can I not be crushed and destroyed by the trials and tragedies in my life?
God is telling me – and you – today that I can persevere because the Spirit of God lives in me, giving me strength, peace and hope. The Spirit reminds me that this earth is not my home – my forever home is with my loving Father.
This is how the Spirit translates Paul’s words in my head as I read them –
I may have troubles coming at me from all directions but, when I stay close to God, he will not let me be crushed by them. I don’t always understand why struggles and issues come my way but I know God is in control and he is a Good Father and I can stand firm on these truths. Even when Satan hunts me down, God never leaves my side. I’ve been knocked down by the horrible tragedy of my son being murdered but God has given me the strength to get back up. He will always fight for me.
I say this knowing there are more storms are coming my way. There are more storms coming your way. Our struggle is not over. Our problems are not all in the past. It’s not a question of ‘if’ there are more trials coming, the question is ‘when’.
Thank you, Father, for teaching me how to respond.
Judy