Suffering as a child of God is considered to be a noble thing until it happens to someone we know. Seeing their plight as reaping what they have sown, we forget our own frailty. Rather than offer words of encouragement we stab them in the back. We scorn their shipwreck as the act of a reckless will.
Solutions come so easy for us. "If  only he would just do this", or "If she would stop that her troubles would be over", or my favorite " Well what did they expect? They should have known better!" Even worse, we act as though fellowship with God has been broken. In short, we behave like idiots and fools.

All of us are involved in a battle. The Spirit is constantly engaged with our flesh. One never stops guiding us in the ways of life while the other never stops desiring the things of death. This is the storm we are being built to endure.

Consider this. When your own storm hits-- and it will--which would you rather have? Words of hope to help you endure or bad advice on how to escape the inevitable. Love to soothe the wounds this world

gives us or scorn in the name of God by the "righteous". Which does your brother deserve?
You who mock the cries of despair from those shipwrecked by doubt and confusion, do you forget the cry of our Lord in His time of pain? Think about it. The one who set up the method of Redemption still cried out "Why?" when it came to pass.

To those who are confused, hurting or doubt because you feel like God has forgotten you, take heart. We cannot see the end, but our Father is already there. It may not seem like He is with you now but He promised to never leave you. You will stand, for God is able to make you stand. You will rest because He has called you to. Though you will suffer through the battle, the Spirit will prevail; therefore, you will prevail.
                                                                          Because of Christ,
                                                                          Mike A.

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