Happy Friday, Friends!
I hope and trust this post finds you all having a great day as a glorious new day begins to dawn in my Sweet Home Alabama!
Like you, I have been heartbroken over what transpired along the Guadalupe River in the Texas Hill Country. Let’s continue to pray for all those impacted by this unimaginable tragedy.
Earlier this week, I got a call from a good friend who serves in vocational ministry. He shared his frustration, perhaps anger, at what happened. He shared that he knew God could have stopped this if He wanted…why didn’t He? And he wanted to know what I thought he should tell the people he serves when they ask him why God allowed this to happen. I will tell you what I told him: “I don’t know.” I share the anger, frustration, and heartbreak.
There are a few things that I shared with my Friend.
1. Sometimes we think we must have all of the answers, say something to fix the hurt, but the reality is none of us can answer that question, and no words can heal the pain. It is o.k. to say, “I don’t know.” Keep it real. It is indescribable, unexplainable, and it hurts. Other than being honest, the only other thing I would suggest in dealing with others is to apply the wisdom of Romans 12:15 and “mourn with those who mourn.”
2. I shared the story with my friend that I shared with all of you last week in Happy Friday about the gentleman whom Mother Teresa had asked how she could pray for him. He stated he wanted her to pray for clarity; she said, “No,” and told him that clarity was the last thing he needed to let go of. He stated he thought she had always had clarity. She said that she had never had clarity, but she always had trust. She then told him that she would pray for him to trust. Isn’t this what we are talking about here? We want answers. We want clarity. We want something that makes no sense to somehow make sense. But it never will. So, each of us must decide: Will we trust God and His promises?
3. I pray we will all fight for our faith. Faith is not a feeling, and it is not based on what we can see. It is an intentional decision to trust (there is that word again)! I totally understand how hard it is to have faith in God when something like this happens, however, I want to encourage you to fight for it with whatever amount of strength you have. Jesus will meet you there and bridge the gap from whatever faith you have to God.
4. Share your heart, honestly, with God. He can handle our feelings, anger, and frustrations. Please take them all and place them at the foot of the cross. Do this as many times per day as you need. He cares, He understands, He loves us, and He is with us.
Other than honestly telling you that I don’t know why God allowed it to happen, pointing you to Jesus and encouraging you to trust God and fight for your faith, I have nothing. This is how I have chosen to live my life.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me if there is ever anything I can do for you or your family. I will always help you any way I can. You can reach me at kevin@whatwillyourinfluencebe.com.
Have a great day, a wonderful weekend, please cherish your precious family, and please stay well.
Kev
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