Where’s the Faith? Part 3

It’s amusing. I should be laughing if I weren’t so close to tears. It’s definitely ironic. Last week and the first of this week I posted two articles entitled, “Where’s the Faith?” and then I proceed to have arguably the worst week of my life. I’m not exaggerating. Now the single worst day of my life was over 13 years ago when I learned that my first child was supposed to die in the womb. I crumbled like dust that day. But by a merciful gift from God who gave me peace to know to the depths of my soul that “all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose”(Romans 8:28), I was ok by the end of that week. But this week has been a doozy.  I’m not going into details. I’m already accused of being too transparent, but the timing of all of the events is too precious not to share. I wrote about faith…well, I darn near preached to you about it and then I stepped on a series of land mines in my life as well as having a hand grenade or two tossed in my lap for extra measure. I immediately had to go back and review my notes. What were my five points again?  

I don’t know if it’s all a test of faith from God or strategic, timely attacks from the Enemy…how do you know the difference sometimes? Please comment and advise. I just know that I have to keep getting up every day and do the things I know to do. I could waste energy complaining or use that energy to change the things I have the power to change and then pray for the rest. It’s my decision. I’ve spoken before of the biblical truth of reaping and sowing and some of my misfortune has merely been the fruition of some seeds I planted. As Pastor Steven Furtick of Elevation Church has said, “You reap what you sow ALL the time and you usually reap MORE than you sow.” Right now for me it’s all nasty, bitter, yucky fruit to swallow and causes painful indigestion and heartburn, but hopefully I will learn valuable lessons and the pain will not be wasted.

I read online at the first of the week before my series of unfortunate events began to unfold that you don’t know you need Jesus until all you have is Jesus.   God knew I would need the encouragement as the losses began to pile up for me this week. But for the sake of not sounding too melodramatic, I must interject with the wonderful truths that I still do have my wife, kids, great friends, family, health and a roof over our heads. And most importantly, I do still have Jesus. Just like with Job, everything else can die, wither, spoil and be lost, but Jesus will never leave me or forsake me. But really, I don’t have any huge, irreconcilable problems. Money can solve most of them and when that’s the case, a person doesn’t really have any problems. All of my troubles are put into proper perspective when I think of the McGrath family who lost their 7 year old daughter, Grace McGrath to brain cancer this week. My heart and prayers are with them. I know that yours will be also.