When It Rains, He Pours

Yesterday was filled with so much loss that I started to think of the story of Job in the bible.

Job lost everything he had in a matter of minutes. It literally says while one mesenger was reporting one loss to him, another thing went wrong, then another thing, and then something else until he virtually had nothing left. Riches to rags if you will. And then, not only did he lose everything but was then plagued with his own sickness. Things were so bad that his wife even questioned his devotion to God. But Job did not waver. He said to her in Job 2:10b Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?

We can lose it all but God will restore whatever we lose. For he wounds, but he also binds up; he injures, but his hands also heal. Job 5:18. This is much easier to think of in terms of things but what about people? I don't even know... but I do know that after 42 books of loss, grief, pain, suffering, and doubters, God took care of Job the Lord blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the first. Job 42: 12a. Sometimes I feel like I am insanely optimistic but I really beleive the word even in the most trying times. I don't want to be hopeless; I want to have an endless hope.

I was supposed to go to a conference about helping people cope with grief tomorrow and I am kicking myself now because I made a last minute switch because of a professor to go to one that was more "valuable". I want to be equipped to help others the best way that I can. So since I can't go to formal training right now, I can use the words God pours into my heart and turn to the ultimate trainer and training manual--God and the bible.

Dear Heavenly Father,
 

I come to you saying thank you. Thank you for life, health, and strength. Thank you for family and friends. I come to you Father asking that you touch those in my life experiencing loss-my deacon's family, my church family, and my sister-friend and her family for the loss of her brother. Father touch those experiencing loss that I don't even know. Help us to find comfort in you and to accept your will for those you have called home to your kingdom. Even though it hurts, I know that to be absent from the body is to be with you Lord. Help us through our grief and pain. Help us Lord to find support and to be supportive to one another. Help us Father. Guide us. We need you right now. Thank you Lord for all that you have done and will do in our lives as we press on.

In Jesus name I pray, Amen.