You are currently browsing the tag archive for the ‘death of a loved one’ tag.
Knowing without a doubt that Christ is in the midst of all that you are facing and that He will take you through to victory.
I wrote an article five years ago that I called, “Wounded Warriors” and I remember when I wrote it that I wanted to truly believe all that I said. I was going through a painful divorce at the time and while I struggled to make sense of it all, I knew by faith that in the end, my struggle would bring me closer to the truth of Christ. And at that time, it did.
Recently, I lost my brother to cancer. Growing up in a dysfunctional family, my older brother was my guide, my mentor and someone who watched over me. He always protected his sisters. While in my battles, I would seek the will of God first, but sometimes I just needed to hear my brother’s voice encouraging me and standing with me. He was definitely my gift from God.
I prayed for my brother to be healed for over a year. I pleaded and cried to Christ to save him both spiritually and physically. I loved my brother. I truly would have given my life for his. But God had other plans. His ways are higher. I must trust his will. And through my tears, I do. God did answer my prayer, my brother put his trust in Christ.
For some reason, this article of mine came up and I re-read what I wrote five years ago. The words were made alive to me and I felt like I was truly understanding the truth of what I wrote. My pain is in God’s hands. His purpose shall be fulfilled. I pray that if you are going through a struggle that you also will understand that Christ did not leave you nor forsake you. He is with you right now and if you can hold on and trust a little longer, he will give you the crown of life.
Please read this message and let the truth of Christ’s love fill your heart with hope. I am praying for you.
WOUNDED WARRIORS
You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again. (Psalm 71:20)
The battles we face in this world are making all of us weary. The enemy’s attacks are getting stronger as the forces of evil seek to wound and discourage those who belong to Christ. Many believers are crying out for Christ to return soon and save them from all this darkness. We are indeed in the devil’s crosshairs and he is not backing down. His plan is to kill your hope, steal your joy and destroy your future. His arsenal is filled with weapons of lies and discouragement aimed toward every believer. His fiery darts of fear and doubt can pierce the hearts of struggling saints causing some to wonder if God really hears their prayers. We are all suffering the effects of a fallen world as we endure hardship of every kind. As difficult as it may seem, the truth remains that the victory of Christ is at the core of a believer’s every trial.
I read a great quote by Christian singer Wintley Phipps which said:
“It is in the quiet crucible of your personal, private suffering that your noblest dreams are born and God’s greatest gifts are given, in compensation for what you have been through.”
That profound truth should give hope to those who are going through serious trials. Keep in mind that all we fear is under God’s sovereign authority and plan. Our battles have been won, and although we still must fight the good fight, believers are guaranteed the victory. Those who belong to Christ are already standing in the winner’s circle surrounded by God’s angels. We are not alone nor left to fend for ourselves. We are a chosen people who will one day rule with Christ in heaven. The forces of hell and the darkness of this world cannot stop the royal future that Jesus died to give us. He has gone to prepare a place for us so wonderful that our finite minds cannot begin to comprehend the beauty that awaits us.
As great as that promise is, it may sound hollow right now when all you want to do is cry. Your painful trial is causing you to bow your head in sadness. Trouble seems unending. But true believers must trust their God no matter how impossible their situation seems. The Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 12:12 that as we face trials we are to “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” That is what sets us apart from the world. We have faith that in all things, our God is enough. He will not leave us alone or allow us to perish. In the book of James, we are told, “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. ” You can have peace even when it seems that all hope is gone when you understand in your heart that in the end, God has the plan! He is not waiting for you to be stronger, wiser or holier before he will help you. He already has the plan worked out. Tomorrow is in his hands and he will accomplish his purpose for you.
In Exodus 14, God led Moses and Israelites away from Egypt as Pharaoh and his army pursued them. As the army approached, the people of Israel feared greatly. They had come to the bank of the Red Sea and had no way to cross . Moses saw the enemy too but he told the people, “The Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent”. God then told Moses to lift his staff over the sea and divide it. After that, God did something amazing. All through the desert, the Angel of God, who was Jesus, led the Israelites by going in front of them as a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. However, when they got to the Red Sea, the Angel of God, who was in front of the Israelites moved and went behind them. The pillar of fire also stood behind them coming between the army of Egypt and the people of Israel. God had the Israelites back! He protected them as the enemy drew near. There was no way that Pharaoh was going to destroy God’s people. In the end, God led his people to safety from between the parted water and used that same water to destroy the Egyptian army. God made a way where there was none!
Wounded warriors, never doubt that God is going to make a way for you too. He has your back covered! Your impossible situation is under his authority and he knows how to make it work out in his perfect plan for you. I don’t care how bad it seems right now, there is always hope if you will surrender it to Christ to do as he pleases. Be strong and believe. Remember discouragement is a lying spirit which ushers in doubt. Take your thoughts captive and line them up with the truth. We are so close to the glorious appearing of Christ. He is with your right now – you have only to be silent!
Dear Lord, make this truth clear to those who need your help now.
Share the good news!
Come to me all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)
As this new year begins, I am praying for all who visit this site. I don’t have to know you to understand that God has a purpose in leading you here. I have learned in my life one important fact and that is that God hears our prayers and answers. For whatever reason he brought you here, I welcome you with love. It doesn’t matter who you are or what your need is, God’s strength is powerful enough to cover it all. Your pain, your struggles and your broken heart cannot stop the perfect plan God has for those who seek him. At some time in our lives, we all make bad choices and fall; but to those who take hold of the hand of Christ, there can be no failures. The truth is that there is no limit to what God can do through you and for you if you are willing to surrender your brokenness to him.
I want to share something that happened to me a few years ago that impacted my life. My elderly father had been living with me and my husband in our home. Almost four years to the month, my father got ill and I had to take him into the emergency room. I felt weary and alone sitting in dad’s room waiting for tests to be done when I heard the nurse talking to a man on the other side of the curtain. Apparently the young man tried to commit suicide when he found out his wife and kids were moving out. He sounded sad as he told the nurse that he felt like foolish for attempting something like that. After talking to him a bit, the nurse left to get his discharge papers. I had some of my faith articles with me and I felt strongly led to go over and give them to this stranger. I hesitated and decided to think it over before letting this man know I overheard his story. What if he got angry that I listened in? What do I even say to him? I panicked! After a few seconds, I just got up and went over. I turned back the curtain a little and quietly said to him, “Hi, I am so sorry but I overheard what happened and I want you to know that I care. More importantly, God cares, and he has a future for you even if your marriage ends. He can give you hope and healing no matter what you are feeling. I will be praying for you and I have some articles I wrote that I think may help you, if that is okay with you.” The young man simply looked me in the eyes with tears and said, “Thank you!” I went over and hugged him and he told me his name and I told him mine. We talked for a little and I tried to encourage him. Then he said something that truly humbled me to my soul. He said, “I know you don’t realize it, but you just saved my life today!” Amazing. Even though I was dealing with my seriously ill father, God still wanted to use me to bring his love and hope to someone who was ready to give up.
The next day, my daughter and I were with my father at the hospital when he passed away. It was a crushing ordeal for me, but somehow in all of my pain I remembered how Christ had used me to show his love to a stranger. God’s power was with me even as my father was dying. His peace just filled me as I understood without a doubt that God was now taking care of my father in heaven! His perfect plan did not fail me.
Life here on earth is not easy. We are still on the battle ground of a perishing world awaiting the final call of Christ. Our momentary problems are working out eternal ramifications. They are preparing us for royalty in a kingdom that will never end. We are always going to have struggles and pain, but we must never lose our focus for God’s is always with us on the path that he has prepared for our lives.
My hope for every believer is that you understand that the storms in your life have no power to destroy you because God will always be bigger. No matter how devastating it may seem, there is a purpose and plan for all that you must endure and he knows how to work it out for your good. I am praying for you now.
God's Promises Are Real 