Convicted

Because there's been a number of blog posts I've started and haven't finished....

Because sometimes I second guess what I'm thinking and its value....

Because sometimes I think they've heard it all before....

But maybe, just maybe, someone needs to read this.

As I scroll through social media, my heart hurts. So many broken families, broken hearts, and broken people. I never saw it before Jayses death. I was blinded to all the hurt and pain, I never noticed the common thread through so many of my family and friends-- grief. Not only grieving of a loved one that had died, but grieving of a lost marriage, or lost relationship, grieving of a lost job, career, friendship or opportunity. 

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Sometimes my grief overwhelms me. Like I can feel it there, right there, in my throat, causing me to be silent. In the back of my eyes, welling up, ready to spring forth at a moments notice. In my chest, tight and unable to breathe, or move, or think of anything else. This is not all the time, but it comes in those waves people refer to when they are talking of grief. It can be triggered by anything or anyone, and yet that same trigger one day, may not be a trigger the next. 

And if I'm being honest, as December closes in, I reminisce and my heart aches for those naive times.  I was content, for what I knew contentment to be, living in my own satisfied ways. I was blinded by my own circumstances, that I never saw or noticed others and their problems or troubles. I only cared about me, can you relate?!?  I had no idea what was going on in the lives of those around me, or what trials they were facing.

But with my God-given awareness, I have felt convicted to share with others, anyone who will listen, the same hope I have found. My eyes have been opened, and I empathize with those in pain, because of my own pain.

If you are suffering, know that you are not alone. The pain and hurt you feel, we all feel it too. I turned right to the bible verse tonight in 1 Peter 5:9, "Stand firm against him (him being the devil), and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are." Some days I manage to smile, and some days I smile a lot, that doesn't mean the pain isn't still there. That pain is always there, it's always going to be there. That is just who we become when we have endured grief.

But I know that our God is magnificent, he keeps his promises! In 1st Peter 5:10, it also reads, "So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you" What awaits us in heaven is so much more than this world has to offer, it makes me think of the song by MercyMe I can only imagine. God will wipe away every tear from our eyes and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain--ALL THESE THINGS ARE GONE FOREVER (Revelation 21:4).  What a glorious day that will be when our hearts penetrated with grief are wrung out and made light as a feather. 

There is hope when you feel hopeless. There is security when you feel doubt. There is truth when you feel discouragement. Jesus Christ. He is the answer. He gives me hope, security, and his word gives me truth.

I'd love to talk with you more about him, or my Christian journey to trusting in him, as always, feel free to email me mwhitt613@gmail.com.

May God bless you!