More Are With Us

Good morning. I've clung to a broken mast through some wild, rough seas, just like the rest of you. I've had unmet expectation and profound disappointment. Lately I've walked through some bewildering pain. Mind-bending heartache. The kind that unseats you when you're doing something as mundane as walking to the mailbox. Makes you want to throw up or sit on the curb and catch your breath. Yes, that kind of pain. The kind of ache and loss that makes you look up to heaven and say "God, I thought I was different. I thought this was for other folks." I guess I should title this post "When You Find Out You ARE the Other Folks."

Sometimes, in the midst of these horrible battles/struggles/storms, going to the grocery store is painful. Everything reminds you of what you've lost/are facing. Everyone seems to have what you lack. You feel entirely alone in your grief. You might be ordering deli meat and the voices from hell that dog you continually will say "This is your lot. You will hurt forever. The light and strength of joy will never shine on you again" And it certainly does feel that way. Those voices are mighty convincing.Everyone looks extremely happy and well-adjusted to the person who is debilitated by powerful disappointment, fear and raw grief.

Today, however, something felt different for me. I awoke to a beautiful spring morning and my heart was encouraged. I have hope in a way that is only God-given. Not only do I know that HE can change my circumstances, I can see the myriad ways He is blessing me every single day. I can feel and taste his goodness in the simplest of pleasures and know that He is with me every single step of every single moment. I can park my mind on the positive today, give my heart a rest from the difficult circumstances I face. Somehow I am back to knowing that, even though this life is only the beginning of our existence, that we are here to choose Christ and glorify Him, that our true home is in heaven and that is where perfection exists and sorrow is excluded, the details of our lives here DO matter to God. He did NOT create us for continual defeat and degradation. He DOES hear and answer prayer. My circumstances DO matter to God. On Sunday, God used a Moody radio show to bring the passage of scripture in 2 Kings to my attention. Ezekiel's servant's heart was filled with fear because he awoke to a city surrounded by enemy troops. Ezekiel immediately reassured his servant that "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them (Holy Bible, New International Version)." Then Ezekiel prayed that the servant's spiritual eyes would be opened. God allowed the servant to see "the hills full of horses and chariots of fire."

That's my prayer for you today. May you see the mighty angelic forces working in your behalf because, my friends, God is with you.