I’ve been in the thick of it lately. Like that old saying, “when it rains, it pours”, it’s been pouring on me lately. Fort Hood, my place, my city, my neighborhood, was thrown into a whirlwind of tragedy and mourning on November 5th. My husband left for a year in Iraq on November 13th. My grandfather, who is 102 and has been living on his own all this time, has been in the hospital with pneumonia and now faces the fact that he should no longer live alone. My sweet mother-in-law has been diagnosed with colon and liver cancer. My own mother has had surgery on both her eyes in the past month. My 2 year old is suddenly acting like a 2 year old. I have had 2 minor surgeries recently. There are many more little and big things too numerous to list.
I don’t write all of this to make people feel sorry for me. I know there are individuals who have it far worse than I do and many who are in the same boat. I write this so that you may be encouraged as I have been encouraged. God, my faithful and loving Father, has surrounded me with friends and family that pray for me, support me, and have stepped alongside me to walk with me during this time.
God, my provider and protector, has used His marvelous Word to reaffirm His love for me and reiterate that He is in control. Here are just a few of the scriptures that have spoken to my heart lately:
Isaiah 43:1-2 But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. (NIV)
1 Peter 2: 12-13 Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner. (The Message)
Deuteronomy 31:6 & 8 “Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” (NASB)
