(From our church-wide devotion book at Pinedale Christian Church, "You 2.0")
It began with a simple enough question: “Can you meet me for dinner? I have something to tell you.” Little did I know that conversation would turn my world upside down. My friend’s husband was leaving her, without a single word of explanation, after just 10 months of marriage. Her world was absolutely shattered. She had given her life to Christ at a young age, had tried to honor God with her life, and had sought His guidance throughout her life’s journey. After the outpouring of tears, anger, and frustration—and consoling me and my heartache—her next question stopped me short: “I don’t want to sin in my hurt and anger; can you help me?”
I’m going to be honest, my whole mind wanted to scream, “ARE YOU CRAZY?? I WANT TO HURT HIM; I’M WILLING TO GO TO PRISON FOR THIS!!” Pause, deep breath. God, pleeeeeease help me!
That’s when this verse from Genesis entered my mind: “I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land.” (Genesis 28:15) I had read that verse earlier in my quiet time. Now, I felt God pressing into me, and I KNEW He would watch over both of us AND to restore and mend her broken heart.
According to the average life expectancy in the United States, I’ve now lived three-quarters of my life. For nearly 40 years, I have served God, devoting my life to loving Him with my whole being, and loving others. I have been filled with joy as I’ve had the blessing of mentoring, leading Bible studies, being actively involved in Bible studies myself, ministering to people at the end of their earthly life, and praying with those whom God brings to me. I LOVE GOD, and I LOVE PEOPLE. I love serving others, loving them in the name of Jesus.
And yet, all my years of ministry couldn’t prepare me for the rip-your- heart-in-two news from one whom I love so dearly.
But here’s the thing: if you live in this world and participate in life, you don’t have to look hard to realize there are a LOT of hurting people; a LOT of evil as the “enemy roams the earth, looking for whom he will devour” (1 Peter 5:8)!
Do you know what else is true? Although I try to stay close to God, there are many, many times I haven’t gotten things right! I’ve either tried to strike out on my own or I’ve allowed the enemy to win and fill my heart with hurt, anger, frustration, and disappointment.
Trying to live apart from God doesn’t work, and we cannot give out that which we do not have ourselves— grace. God abundantly gives His Grace to us, and His love is unconditional.
So I start over because here’s the REAL TRUTH–Jesus! He says, “‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’” (John 14:6). I cling to Jesus, study God’s Word, and focus on Him because God promises that when I seek Him wholeheartedly, I WILL find Him! (Deuteronomy 12:5, Jeremiah 29:13; 1 Chronicles 16:11, Psalm 9:10 Proverbs 8:17)
God also instructs us in 2 Chronicles 7:14, “...if my people who are called bymy name (that’s us!), will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” We have work to do. Are there injustices in this pain-filled world? Yup! Hurting people? Yup! Prodigal children? Yup! Dark times? Yup! But can we also have JOY in the midst of it? A resounding YES!!!
My friend asked, “Will you help me so that I don’t sin in my hurt and anger?” Yes, yes, I would. But how could I extend that Grace? By focusing on God’s truth, staying in God’s word, choosing to focus on Him and His promises (not the lies of the enemy), and staying in communion with Him through prayer and the gathering of fellow believers. We must be filled with God’s Grace so that we can share that Grace with others. That’s how.