Boston

Getting Beyond the "Why"?

"Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." ~Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

As I was driving to work this morning, I was listening to our local Christian radio station (89.7 FM WMHK).  The two DJ's (Is that still what we call them these days?) were discussing the horrible event that happened yesterday in Boston.  One of the hosts said that her mother always told her to "look for the helpers" amidst the horror.  I thought what good advice that is.  Not that we should over-look the evil done by others, but that we should look for those over-coming the evil (so to speak).  I think there is an even better way to say it--Look for God. 

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."  ~ Matthew 11:  28-30

I still find myself asking "why" when horrible things like this take place in our world.  However, I don't think I ask it quite as often as I did in the past.  I find myself focusing and remembering that God is still in control.  When it appears to me that the world is falling apart, I have to think of God telling us:  "I got this.  You do your part, and I'll do mine.  Oh, and while you are doing your part, I'm there with you helping you.  I got this; and I've got you as well as all those that love Me." 

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." ~ Romans 8: 18

I looked on the Internet at the images of what happened yesterday, and I "looked for the helpers."  This is what I saw....

"The LORD is my light and my salvation-- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life-- of whom shall I be afraid?^"

^{~ Psalm 27:1 (NIV)} 

 "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."

 ~ Philippians 4:19 

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things."

 ~ Philippians 4:6-8

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. " ~ Jeremiah 29: 11-13

 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."

~ Proverbs 3: 5-6

"The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.  Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you."

 ~ Psalm 9: 9-10 

 "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

 ~ 2 Corinthians 4:  16-18 

 "But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." 

~ Jeremiah 17: 7-8

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

 ~ 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

AMEN!