Learning From Trials

We all go through difficult times, or trials, in our lives. As many of you know, I have been going through a trial period in recent days. I recently shared with our church members some lessons that I am learning through this ordeal and I want to share them briefly with you.
First, I'm learning that problems are not a strange thing. I have at times panicked during such times. Bad things happen to good people and I would like to think that I'm good people, if you will. The Lord tells us in Scripture that His aim is to bring us righteousness, to make us a better person. I'm no better than any one else so when when bad things happen I should not ask, "Why me?" The better question is "Why not me?" and learn from the experience.
The second lesson I am learning is that the only way for me to understand is to let go and let God. It's an old saying but it's true even if it is sometimes difficult to do. I'm trying to understand that endurance is not the key to living but rather that surrender is the key to living. If we live long enough, hard times happen, but God can help us to mature in the faith through the process. It was after passing through the Red Sea that Moses became a great man. It was after Peter overcame his fears that he became a great man. It was after the Damascus road experience that Paul was able to become a great man of God.
And finally, I have found that the simple things are more important than what we may consider to be the big things. Little things like family, relationships, and purpose are huge. It's not about prestige, status, or a fat bank account that should be our priorities.
Isaiah 41:13 says "For I am the Lord your God, who takes hold of your right hand, who says to you, do not fear, I will help you."
Sometimes we feel like a nail and life is a hammer beating us down day by day. But there is a Carpenter who holds the nail, who knows better than the nail, and in the end shows that a simple nail, even though it is being pounded, can be used to build something great.

The God of All Comfort

I've got to confess. I told a lie today. In fact, I told the same lie several times. Let me explain.
At this moment, my Dad is lying in critical condition in St. Vincent's Hospital in Little Rock. A very large blood clot was removed from his brain last week and for ten days now he has been in that hospital unresponsive with too many tubes running into his body to believe. My Mother is worn out from spending most of those nights in an all too uncomfortable recliner next to him as she waits for any sign of recognition from eyes that have only opened a few times and only then for a couple of fleeting moments.
I'm tired, and I haven't been there nearly as long as she but I have come home for a night or two in my own bed. I've had an "emotional moment" a time or two as I feel helpless to help the one who has helped me on myriad occassions.
Oh yeah...the lies. Earlier today I felt the need to get away for a while to decompress, as it were. Robin and I found our way to a nearby mall just to walk, see happy faces for a change, and try to regroup my thought process. And every clerk in every store we entered approached with the same question. "How are you doing today?" they cheerfully asked. And I answered with the typical response. "Oh, I'm fine," I would answer. I lied. Time after time.
The raw-gut truth is I felt, rather, feel, like road kill. Like I've been run over repeatedly in the highway of life. And I think some put it in reverse and ran over me again.
As a pastor, I have many times counseled and consoled others who have gone through what I'm going through and even worse. Now I'm on that side of the confessional window. Okay, I'm not Catholic but a better metaphor escapes me right now.
Paul in II Corinthians 1:3-4 says, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God."
As much compassion and comfort that I've tried to give others, I can see it all from a different perspective now. I've been blessed to have my parents for so many years. The Lord yearns to comfort us. Now, no matter what happens in my situation, I pray I can be of greater comfort to those who need a shoulder to cry on.

Prayers Needed

This week I want to refer you to my sister's blog. She shares what's on my heart and I could not have said this any better.

http://ohthegreatplacesyoullgo.wordpress.com/2012/03/12/when-the-great-place-you-go-is-to-a-hospital/

Against The Odds

Tuesday (March 6) will mark the 176th anniversary of the fall of the Alamo, the small mission in San Antonio, Texas. The mission was defended for 13 days under the leadership of Col. William B. Travis by less than 200 brave men as an army of 1500 under General Santa Anna laid seige to the Alamo.
Can you imagine what must have gone through those mens minds as they fought off superior numbers day after day? They endured because they believed in their cause, independence for Texas. In the end, however, the Mexican forces overwhelmed the undermanned mission and each man inside gave up his life for the liberty of others.
There is so much we can draw from this event as Christians. How often do we feel that Satan and his forces are overwhelming us? Sometimes it seems as if there is no way we can remain completely loyal to the Lord. The world is pressuring us to give in and disobey what we know to be the will of God.
We can also draw the comparison of Christ giving His life on the cross for our liberty. It seemed as if He, too, was defeated, but three days later He arose from the grave to conquer sin.
We can be thrown into dispair when we look around us and see all the bad things that are going on. Sure, the Alamo was lost, but only for a while. Later, General Sam Houston used the extra time given to him by the men of the Alamo to prepare his troops to defeat Santa Anna giving Texas freedom and eventually entrance into the United States.
Hang in there fellow Christian soldier...Remember the Alamo. And remember Calvary!