Sometimes in life it is easy to focus on all the bad things that are happening.  Far too often we tend to think things could not get worse.  On Thursday of last week I had a pretty bad day.  My daughter was born three weeks pre-mature on Monday.  So she is now in the NICU at the hospital where she has been for the past two weeks (almost).  It is obviously hard leaving her at the hospital while I have to come home.

To make matters worse, the car that I recently bought broke down on the way home from the hospital.  I had not slept much that week and I was completely exhausted. I had thought that things could not get much worse. However, over the next few days I was given somewhat of a wake up call.  I met two families that had it much worse than I did.  One family had their son in the NICU just like I did. They had six other children at home so they obviously had other responsibilities.  The worse part is that the child’s mother also had breast cancer.  She found this out soon after she became pregnant.

The other family that I spoke with had twins in the NICU.  Sadly, one of them had already died.  I could see the mother fighting back her tears when she told Alicia and me the story. She had been in the NICU for five weeks already and would probably be there another five or six weeks.

When I heard these two families tell me about their situations it humbled me.  I began to reconsider my situation, my daughter is in the NICU but she is doing great and will probably be released soon. The car that broke down is under warranty and will be covered by the warranty company (or most of it anyway).

I have had to deal with some inconveniences, but when I step back and look at the big picture it is not that bad. I have not had to deal with the death of a child nor have I had to deal with my wife suffering from breast cancer. God has looked after me and taken care of my family in such a way that I should be eternally grateful. However, the fact remains that sometimes in life good people suffer. Sadly, this causes many to turn their backs on God.

In times of struggle many will deny God, who is the only chance they have at comfort.  When tough times come we need to draw close to God. Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28, 29).

God is the only one who can give our souls rest.  He is the only one who can comfort us.  Many want to turn their backs on God when the going gets tough; sadly, for those who do so the hard times are just beginning. For those who turn to God and do His will (which is “light”) we know that at some point are burdens will be lifted away and our souls shall find rest.

–Garrett Bookout @ www.forthright.net