Afflicted in Pain

"But as for me, afflicted and in pain-may your salvation, God, protect me." Psalm 69:29 NIV

PAIN - PLATFORM OR PRISON

These past two weeks have been crazy to say the least.  I received either texts or calls from several friends and family members informing me of sick loved ones or deaths.  I don't remember a time when I received so much bad news in a short period of time.  I'm not going to lie, a day or two it was too overwhelming.  When my phone rang or text notification came through, I reluctantly answered.  On the other end, I would learn of heartbroken family and friends dealing with difficult situations; real life chaos.  My heart goes out for every single one of you, always know that.  I have been praying for so many loved ones.

Why do bad things happen to good people?  We ask ourselves this question every time we hear awful news.  In quiet times after Kirk passed, I would sit and ask God why?  Why did this have to happen to him, to us.  Jesus answers this question in John16:33 NIV.  He says, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart! I have overcome the world."  Jesus answers this question plainly.  He tells us, gives us a warning that we will have trouble in this life.  He tells us that our lives will not be picture perfect and that there are no guarantees.  The ONLY guarantee we do have is HIM!!!  In HIM, we can have peace when the waves are crashing on us so hard we can't catch a breath.  In HIM, we can have hope that He is with us and for us.  Our God is a great God and he will never leave  or forsake us!!! 

Our Savior has conquered this world and overcame the grave!!  We have that firm foundation to stand on!!

I went to a celebration of life of a man that is close to our family.  His youngest son gave his eulogy and at the beginning he said, "Our pain can be a prison or a platform."  Wow I was blown away!! How true is that?  I believe it's very true.

For me personally, I had a big decision to make after Kirk suddenly passed.  How was I going to respond to this journey that I was thrust on; a journey that I didn't want.

I knew that I didn't want to be a prisoner of the pain.  I made the decision that I had to reach out to God and cry out for relief.  I knew I couldn't do this journey alone.  Psalm 16:8 NIV states, "I keep my eyes on the Lord.  With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken."  With His help, I was able to start this journey with Him upholding me. 

Another thing I knew was that I wanted to make my grief a platform to help others that are just starting or having problems with their paths.  After much praying and God's nudges and intervention, I have been blessed to be able to help several women.  I was also blessed to have been introduced to Ann of Peace Restored and to start a relationship of helping and serving widows in our area.  With this pain in my platform, I am able to bless others with my journey. 

In my case, to try to make sense of the age old question: Why do bad things happen to good people?  It's because these bad things are used for God's good and purpose.  See, my bad thing has helped several women, children, and a couple of men to see the good in this life; to show them what endurance, patience, faith and trust looks like in the face of tragedy.  My life shows others that you can do this, you can live through the grief, and one day you will thrive and find joy and happiness again. 

What do you choose?  Have you chosen being a prisoner of your pain or have you decided to use your pain as a platform?  I sure hope you chose the latter and be a light in someone else's darkness.  This world needs many lights shining for God's glory.

Will you be a light for Him? 

Lord, thank you for blessing me beyond measure.  I still don't understand the pain and this journey that I'm on, but I am blessed to have You by my side every step.  Lord I pray that I can be a light for at least one person in my life and all the Glory goes to You.  It's in Your Precious Name I pray..Amen!!