It's the Monday morning after the tragic events of last Friday in Connecticut. As a Mom, and a human being in this world, this event has effected me, as I'm sure it has all of you in varying degrees. It makes me feel physically ill, thinking about it makes me feel like I could vomit and cry at the same time, but it also makes me so thankful for what I have. Friday afternoon I was all the more grateful that I was able to pick up my little boy from preschool, and now on Monday I am trusting that he will be safe when I drop him back off at school today.
God has blessed me with incredible positivity and the ability to see the brighter side of things. In this post I am hoping to empower you and fill you with hope. No matter what God is always good!
There are so many thoughts and emotions we experience after a tragedy like this. We can be all over the place, from feeling sick with sadness, fearing the world, feeling completely helpless, feeling such sorrow for all those families whose lives will never be the same, and feeling powerless and having no control. It can make you never want to leave the house or take your children anywhere!
So what do we do in this situation?
Well first, we weep. It is such a sad situation, and as members of the human race, and the body of Christ, together we can weep.
Luke 19:41-42 NLT -
But as he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep. "How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But now it is too late and peace is hidden from your eyes."
John 11:35 NLT -
Then Jesus wept.
Next, we pray, we pray and we keep praying!
We pray that God's love and peace will cover all those Moms, Dads, Brothers, Sisters, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Sons, Daughters, Teachers, School Administrators, School Employees, EMTs, Police Officers, Doctors, Nurses, Hospital Workers, Funeral Directors, Pastors, Friends, and everyone else who needs prayer. Let us pray for them and continue to pray for them. Let us pray for an outpouring of Gods love like nothing we have ever seen.
Matthew 5:4 NIV -
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."
We pray that God will strengthen our faith, and let us see some of the miracles that are happening right now, and in the coming days. Let us pray that God will use us in ways to help those in need.
Genesis 50:20 HCSB
You planned evil against me, but God planned it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
Let's not forget that there is a spiritual war going on, and we are caught in the middle of it. The enemy wants to hurt us, tear us apart from each other, and leave us feeling hopeless. Friday's tragedy was an incredible act of evil, and the pain that is left may never fully heal on this side of heaven. So what do we do to combat such evil?
We FIERCELY LOVE!! In the face of this tragedy and the holidays, let us see what is truly important. If there are relationships in your life that need healing, make it right, extend love and chop down those roots of bitterness that have been growing for years. Love yourself - whatever inside you that needs healing, open up yourself completely and let God transform you. While God is in control, we are not helpless, and we can choose to love no matter what!
If you read Revelations, you know that in the end, Love Wins! So in the face of tragedy and terrible human suffering, let us not be defeated, but empowered even more to choose to fiercely love God and each other like we have never loved before.
Matthew 22:37 HCSB
He said to him, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second if like it; Love your neighbor as yourself"
And I will conclude with my favorite verse that always brings me comfort
Matthew 28:20 HCSB
"And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age"
Thank you for taking the time to read this and pray with me. It is pretty amazing to think about how we are all uniting in prayer right now.
