To My Friend....

What do you say to someone that just can’t seem to catch a break?   What do you say to someone that is hurting and feels that everything he or she does is WRONG?  I have been running this Christian race for some time now and the more I stay in the word, the more my faith is strengthen but I can’t give quick reference guide scripture passages to a young 20 year old who just feels lost. He feels that when he takes 3 steps forward something always goes wrong and he takes 2 steps back.   I can’t give him subtle analogies and rhetorical questions of self-evaluation that I give myself. 

When something goes wrong in my life,  I immediately do my own self-eval to determine if I had any part in any consequence that I am dealing with.  9 times out of 10,  I didn't yield enough, I didn't surrender completely,  I wasn't completely honest with the situation, or I didn't give my best effort,  I didn't make the best use of my time.  Usually most of my bad decisions are poor money management, so I take full responsibility for those consequences.  Yet, God always delivers.  But, when I hear the frustration in a dear friend’s voice I just simply for a moment ask God why?  Why does she have to go through all this?  God, I don’t think her faith or her son’s faith is strong enough to handle another setback.  I ask God; please give her one enjoyable holiday.  They sure do need it. 

I think about the story of Joseph and all throughout the story, through each misstep, each setback, scripture tells us, that “the Lord was with him”.     I have to believe that the Lord is with my friend and her family. 

 I think about David and all his issues, and even when he failed, he loved God and God loved him.  His Psalm 138:8 reminds me,  “ The Lord will perfect that which concerns me” .  I have to believe that the Lord will make perfect all things that concern my friend and her family.

I think about Job and how he lost everything, but never lost his faith in God.   And, so once again I have to believe that the Lord will replace all things lost.   All those things that were meant for evil, God will use them for good. 

As I stand on my faith, sometimes it’s hard to express that faith when someone is at their breaking point.  I can offer a kind word,  a prayer, a shoulder to cry on, an ear to vent, but none of them seem to be enough.  

To my friend, whatever you are going through, whatever you are facing, the Lord is with you, he has heard your cry, he has pitied your every moan.  

To my friend, you cannot for a second get off course; you have to stay in the race.  You have to fight for your faith.    The bible says that those that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength.  

To my friend, remember that His grace is sufficient.    

To my friend, He loves you.