Reflections of a Believer
I have posted before about my desire to live a Hallmark-type life. One where everyone is happy, and there is always a happy ending. This last week has torn holes in my desire to frankly ignore the pains of the world. This week we lost four friends. Many of which we laughed and joked with, told stories to, and shared interests with. This week was hard.
Then on top of the loss, we were all feeling; we see the heart-wrenching moments coming out of Afghanistan unfold in real-time. These images are enough to shatter a compassionate heart into a million pieces. Pictures of children, dirt-covered faces streaked with tear stains, running away from the very real boogeyman Stories of women and children being abused.
It is enough to make you want to vomit. For compassion-filled people, the pain of compassion can become overwhelming if we allow it to. As I sat contemplating this very fact, I realized God in His sovereignty warned us that this life would not be all roses and fun.
In fact, John 16:33 NIV tells us, “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.”
See, we are told this life will have its hardships. For those of us lucky enough to live in the Western Hemisphere, it is time for us to stop burying our heads in the proverbial sand and do the one thing that will make the most difference; give it over to God.
As free Christians it is time for us to use our freedom to solve a problem, not just complain about it. Because the truth is, posting sad stories isn’t going to solve the problem. Talking with your friends about how bad it is, isn’t going to solve the problem. The only thing that is going to change the current state of our world is prayer.
The Bible tells us, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
James 5:16 NIV
See, this verse does not tell us that the Facebook post of a person is powerful. Or even that the complaints of a person are powerful. No, it said, “the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
So, if we want to bring about change, we ourselves have to change. We must begin to take the issues of this world to the feet of Jesus instead of the feet of this world.
Now, I know this may be a hard pill to swallow, I am probably the worst at being drawn in. In fact, this week, with its emotionally draining effects, left me raw and leaning towards a tendency to complain.
So, I am confident this post is more for me than for anyone else. But, for the others, who, like me, tend to let carnal nature shine through when they are emotionally exhausted, today is a great day to pray, repent, and intercede for those situations that are plaguing our souls.
Father,
First and foremost, we ask for forgiveness for the times where we allow our carnal nature to take us to the world instead of to Your feet. We pray You give us a heart that turns toward You to solve the problems of the world.
We humbly intercede for the people who are suffering. We pray for peace in our nation and the nation of Afghanistan. Amen
