Praying

I have prayed constantly for my friend in the previous post. I have prayed when I rose in the morning, when I've been busy about my work, when I eat lunch, when I'm doing errands, when I cooking dinner for my family, before and after my study time and when I lie down at night. I have prayed with tears for this friend. I have been sorrowful for the friend but more than that my tears have been for the hurt I know God must have had for the position my friend was taking. It was hard to hear my friend say those harsh words but it was harder to know that if those words hurt me to the core, how much more they must have hurt God. After all God has done for me and my family, I couldn't bare to hear that someone would turn from him.

After all of my praying and crying, I was happy to know that my friend returned to Church on Sunday and is still planning to carry out their duties they had already planned. Though feeling wounded and let down somewhat in their circumstances it is good to see that they are continuing to run the race they began. I know they may not be walking on their own right now because God is carrying them through. This alone is comfort to me to know that when we fall, God still cares enough to not let go and keep us afloat.

I do know that my friend feels embarrased because of their earlier statement. But, if they are encouraged and feel loved and given just a little help they will be alright. We all get embarrassed by our lack of faith at times. My comfort in that is, God shows his strength in our weakness. We are not alone.

What To Do?

What do you do when someone you love and care about deeply stands up and says they are done with God because they have been wronged. Yes I can truly say they were wronged. My response would have to be:

I understand you have been wronged and I agree with you on that point. However, making such a bold statement doesn't end the matter. Just because you feel that God has hurt you because of circumstances doesn't mean he is done with you. He is still the one in control and the decision of whether or not things are done between you and God is in his control not yours. I believe that such a statement would mean you will probably be feeling his presence even more...and maybe not in such a favorable manner. If you are so weak in faith that you can't take what circumstances comes at you with God on your side, then I seriously doubt that you can take circumstances better without him on your side.

I still believe that all things work for the good for those who love him. People can make mistakes to hurt you personally, financially and in all manners of ways but we have to remember that God gave man free will to choose to do things the right way or the hurtful way. God can't interfer with free will. If someone hurt you in any manner it is not because of anything God did, it was simply because they exercised their free will and chose the wrong way. But we have to forgive them. Not blame God. If we don't forgive them and blame God, we are exercising our free will also in the wrong way as the one who hurt you did. That fact alone should give compassion and forgiveness for the one who hurt you.

Please let me know any comments you have about the matter of what to tell others in this circumstance.

Joy

I have to praise God for the joy, happiness, contentment and peace He has brought into my life. There are a lot of things going on in our life that we could worry about.. some major things. But, I am greatful that through reading scripture and studying and spending time with God, He brings all things into perspective. Staying focused on Him instead of the other things of life makes life so much happier. I am thankful also that I can go to God in prayer and speak to Him as my closest friend. Knowing that He will not only listen, but hear with an understanding far better than I can speak with words. I just wanted to voice my thankfulness for His faithfulness.