What do we do when life knocks you down? When a phone call changes your life forever?

A few days before Christmas my husband’s brother Barry died instantly from a blood clot. He was only 58, in good health, and working daily as an Associate Pastor. His ministry to families and children in his community was vibrant. He was a superb husband and father. We were in shock and searching for understanding.

Trusting God when His plan doesn’t make sense is… intense.

Grief is very real! It’s messy, nasty and tougher than we ever imagined.

So how do we cope? What do we do?

I have learned that I have to trust God

for who I know Him to be.

God is loving. He cares about all the details of my life. As my loving Heavenly Father He can handle my raw emotions. I cry out in my pain. I rant and rave in anger. I rage about injustice and unfairness. He’s a big God. He can handle it. His love is unconditional.  “pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.” Psalm 62:8

God is omniscient. He sees the whole picture. I only see my small part. He knows how this event will affect my life and the lives of many others. He knows how this will impact His ministry and who will come to know Him as their loving Heavenly Father. I watch for how God is at work and that helps me see some of His big picture.

God is wise. He knows that hard times teach me. He knows that hard times send me to my knees in prayer. Hard times send me to my Bible to search for His promises and His purposes. Hard times give me sensitivity to other people’s pain.

I trust God because of His promises.

God will never leave me. When life knocks me down I’m not in control. I don’t like uncertainty. It frightens me. But, I know God will never leave me! I hold His hand tightly but He never lets mine go! “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand”. Isaiah 41:10

God will give me peace. Peace that helps me sleep. Peace that gives me patience to wait. Peace that helps me think straight. Peace that helps me cope with each new hour of each new day. Peace that gives me hope for the future. “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”.    Philippians 4:7   When I experience His peace I understand why the Bible says it is a peace that passes understanding.

I trust God because He will send help and hope.

I have seen God’s hand in many ways, the lyrics of a song that spoke right to my heart. A Pastor’s Sunday message that seemed written just for me. A friend’s invite for dinner, or the words in a letter or card that cheer me and give me hope. God sends His good people to reach out with loving acts of service.

I trust God because He’s proved He is trustworthy.

I am watching to see how God is at work in these hard days and what He is teaching me.

TODAY’S little STEP: Find one of God’s promises. Claim His promise. Memorize His promise. Believe His promise.

I’d love to hear how our Great God has been at work in your life. What hard time has God brought you through? What is He teaching you?

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