Presence
By Elizabeth Cole
“The LORD is
close to the brokenhearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Psalm 34:18 (NIV)
You
know those times where everywhere you look there is joy and ease? Those times
of easy laughter and delight in all being just as it ought to be? This has not
been one of those weeks.
You know those times when the losses are heartrending and senseless? Those times when you search for a word sadder than sad? This has been one of those weeks.
Both close and from afar this week, I have borne witness to loss of life, loss of a dream, and loss of international ministry due to moral failure. It’s a week of deep disappointment.
Wise counselors have said that when it seems that everything has changed and gone sideways in our lives, we need to rehearse what hasn’t changed; state the facts that are still true, despite all that has happened. Say what you know that you know. So here’s a start.
We know that we know:
You know those times when the losses are heartrending and senseless? Those times when you search for a word sadder than sad? This has been one of those weeks.
Both close and from afar this week, I have borne witness to loss of life, loss of a dream, and loss of international ministry due to moral failure. It’s a week of deep disappointment.
Wise counselors have said that when it seems that everything has changed and gone sideways in our lives, we need to rehearse what hasn’t changed; state the facts that are still true, despite all that has happened. Say what you know that you know. So here’s a start.
We know that we know:
Our
God is present. …he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake
you.” Hebrews 13:5b; I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be
shaken, for he is right beside me. Psalm 16:8 (NLT)
Our
God gives us presents of hope, encouragement
and strength. May our Lord
Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us
eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you
in every good deed and word. 2 Thessalonians 2:16
Our
God has a future for us beyond the present. Then I saw a new heaven and a new
earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was
also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from
God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. I
heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his
people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will
be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be
no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”
Revelation 21:1-4 (NLT)
GOING
DEEPER:
1. Keep
adding to this list. What do you know that you know to be true, even in the
midst of brokenheartedness?
FURTHER
READING:
Elizabeth is a wife with three
grown daughters and two sons-in-law, and is the Director of Connecting at
Oakwood Church.
