Today I spoke to a gentleman who used to live in my area. He is close friends with my friend, and was pleasantly surprised to know his friend became a Christian. He and his wife moved away shortly after I moved here. When asking how his wife was, he told me she was in bad shape. He was doing all of the chores at home while caring for her. He told me it was extremely hard for him to watch his wife continually go downhill physically. As I write this, I learned of another situation where a grandchild is about to be taken from life support. While driving by a park, a policemen was lowering the flag to half-staff to honor fallen police officers in Dallas. Tragedies come alike to one and all. Some from natural causes and others, as in the case of the fallen police officers, through intentional killing.
As faithful children of God, we have One who is with us all the way in our earthly trials. One day, if we are faithful to Him, we will have no more tears or sorrows. God shall wipe the tears from our eyes.
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Revelation 21:4
I believe the following may be helpful to those struggling with health problems, death, or other situations in their lives in which they struggle.
“In centuries gone by, the sixty-first Psalm was often sung in worship services. It is short, beautiful, and a suitable sentiment when trouble comes. Man has had his ups and downs.
David had enough troubles to break a man of lesser faith.
This life is not a pilgrimage on a gentle downhill pavement marked with signboards saying, “No Trouble,” “No Sorrows,” “No Efforts.” Evidently the God who created us thought we needed some struggles to grow stronger. The great men whose illustrious names brighten the fading pages of history faced challenging difficulties which brought out the heroic qualities within them. In their examples they give inspiration to the generations that follow.
Another thing we can be sure of – God has an open ear to the cries of believing children. “Hear my cry, O God,” petitioned David. You may doubt others. You may doubt yourself. But never doubt God. He will attend your prayers. Disaster may push you to “the end of the earth.” But God is near and you may still cry out: “Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.”
“No matter how distressing your hardships are, God is near. He is the Rock of Shelter. Cling to Him.”
~ Leroy Brownlow
“Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto Thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the Rock that is higher than I. For Thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in Thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the cover of Thy wings. For Thou, O God, hast heard my vows: Thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear Thy name. Thou wilt prolong the king’s life: and his years as many generations. He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him. So will I sing praise unto Thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows.” Psalm 61:1-8
What comforting Scriptures we have to sustain us and an avenue of prayer to Him when our hearts become overwhelmed with sorrow, grief, and troubles. That is the true beauty of Christianity. To know He hears our cries. May we ever live close to the “Rock that is higher than I.
“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto Him, Lord, we know not whither Thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father but by Me.” John 14:1-6
Eileen Light