Heartaches

My heart has so much sorrow every time I see the images, hear the anguish of parents’ cries, and sense the frustration of “Why” since the tragedy in Uvalde, Texas at Robb Elementary this past week. The fingers of blame pointing to make sense of it all only adds to the distress and exasperation of my spirit.

I have no definitive answers to offer here, except the fact that we live in a fallen world. Doesn’t add much comfort, does it? However, the words of our Lord, Jesus in John 16:33 bring me back to the center of my being. “In the world, you will have tribulation, but take heart; I have overcome the world” and that my friend does bring hope!

Think about it. Where do your thoughts go first when confronted with heartache, tragedy, or loss? Where do you find yourself seeking comfort or a solid place to make a stand when you are surrounded only by your questioning mind?

Do you seek the counsel of friends, family, and your husband first? There is nothing wrong with this UNLESS those are the only places our hearts think to find shelter from the various storms of our lives along with being the only things we turn to.

Where do you find yourself running first when challenged with these? Our first thought needs to be of the one who can truly handle these. Little storms, big storms, storms of epic proportion such as sickness, death, heartache, or loss need the Great I Am to quell. He is the One who makes a way where there is no way and will, “instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; and will counsel with His loving eye on you.” Psalms 32:8

This is making me think of all the places I run to when needing help. My husband is a great provider and counselor to me, but He is ultimately not my strong tower. He is not able to be this in the times that God does not have my sustenance come from him. My husband, friends, and family are only humans and The Lord wants me to see that He and He alone can provide what I need when I need it.

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run into it and they are safe.” Proverbs 18:10 The cries of “but what about those poor young children?! I can assure you that they are laughing in the fields of the splendor of God right now. What about you? Are you past the age of accountability? This is where I lovingly and gingerly ask you, “Have you given your heart to the Lord?” You know it…that heart that naggingly asks you questions of are you enough? Do you try hard enough? Well, rest assured that none of us are and none of us do.

Romans 3:23 tells us, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” The only one who didn’t was Jesus and that is why He came and offered his body as a sacrifice for us. We can’t earn that sacrifice,, but we do have to accept it. He willingly did that for us because he loves us so much and knows how much more God, the father does too. Yes, He loves us even with all our baggage, mistakes and sorrows. There is nothing He does not understand and with His help, we can do better.

Sounds like a lop-sided exchange, but He’s the one that set it up. This is the gospel, the good news that our sins were laid upon Christ and His righteousness is laid upon us. Now, do you see how much He loves you?!

Let Him worry about the “whys” in your life that rear their ugly heads, have some scriptures you can stand on reminding you of His love, and go out and share the wonderful news that the enemy of our souls wants to drown out before his time is up. Tic. Tic. Tic.