When bad things happen, how do we respond?
After swimming, biking, and peddling the exercise machine thousands of miles the past 25 years, I struggled to accept my recent discovery of heart disease. And in a comment here last week, my friend Rebekah shared how crushed she was when recently advised to have an autism screening done on two of her children.
What do we do when life hands us difficult moments? We’ve all been there, and so had Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, and of course Christ himself. John the Baptist was so confused by his turn of events that he even questioned Christ’s identity.
As I searched my heart for a Godly response, I recalled a poem that sat on my dorm room desk 34 years ago. I pray it will inspire you as it has me again and again.
The poem is called “IF” by Rudyard Kipling. Check out this remarkable video, it will move you:
Click here for the 2 minute “IF” video
Isaiah 40:31 “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.”
That was moving Ed. Thanks for sharing the video. God is good even when circumstances aren’t…I have been so amazed at His love poured out on me since Thursday when I was told to have the screening done. I have “happened” to turn on the radio twice when a woman has been giving testimony about her autistic son who has learned to live a very normal life…I have had two or three different people with similar circumstances come up to me and share their journeys. I have been reminded by these things and others that God is not going to be surprised at the outcome of the screening. He is the designer of my children and He will give me the strength to be the parent I must be…no matter what.
I am thankful for you Ed and thankful for your compassion. You have been one of those gifts that God gave to show love to me this week . Thanks!
-Rebekah
That was a great video. As I was listening it came to me that man’s “IF’s” are God’s desires.
I listened again and put the words “God desires for me to” in front of every “IF” and it inspired me even more.
Thanks Ed
Tyrone,
I completely agree. The older I get the clearer it becomes that all the virtues that seem to work in life are Biblical based. It affirms my faith and trust in God all the more!
Wasn’t it Solomon that said, “There is nothing new under the sun.”
Standing on the promises,
Ed
bekah,
Through this heart issue I’ve experienced the same. It affirms that scripture about “confessing your faults (lack of faith or anger) that we may be healed. God brings people to relate and affirm that there is HOPE amidst the confusion.
I really love your heart and am glad you came back to add to these conversations. You’ve so many times…blessed my day.
Burdens are lifted,
Ed