A Word on Suffering

I think one of the responsibilities of a blogger is to share the wisdom of others on certain issues, especially something as big as suffering. I like to put thoughts of the day on here by Dr Billy Graham and here is another great one:

Suffering teaches us patience. These words were found penned on the wall of a prison cell in Europe: ”I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I dont feel it. I believe in God even when He is silent.”

The LORD is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.

Psalm 145:18

Storms…

Sometimes when things are rubbish in life it is really easy to over complicate things and to get into a deeper mess. The easiest thing is, so often, to look to yourself to solve the problem. Below is (yet another!) great thought from Billy Graham on how to deal with storms in life.

Are storms in your life making you afraid?

You can have peace despite the storms

Stay close to Jesus Christ. Read God’s Word. Pray

You will keep in perfect peace
him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.

Isaiah 26:3

The Sovereignty of God

It is an amazing thought amongst all that happens in life that there is a Sovereign God and that He is well and firmly in control. Nothing can thwart His plans. This is true in every aspect of life, that God is fully sovereign.

This is such a comfort to know – that God is in control of all things. This doesnt take away human responsibility, but rather helps us to know that nothing can prosper without God (Ps 127). He is the ultimate reality!

It is even more amazing to know that this awesome sovereign of the universe is a personal and loving God! Let Billy Graham put it better than I:

Because God is a person, He feels that which we feel. After all, we are made in His image, so it is expected that we would be able to communicate our deepest feelings and emotions to God.

We also see clearly in God’s word how he cares:

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.            Romans 8:28

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.                      1 Peter 5:7

These are but a couple of references in the bible that the awesome God of the universe, the creator of all things, is also a God of love who wants to be in relationship with us. This is awesome!

Thought for the Day

Given that my last post was all about pain and suffering and how un-natural it all is, I thought that this was a very fitting quote that I just read from Billy Graham:

‘Sometimes it takes suffering to make us realize the brevity of life, and the importance of living for Christ. Often God uses suffering to accomplish things in our lives that would otherwise never be achieved.’

If you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed.

1 Peter 3:14 (NKJV)

9/11 – 8 Years On

It is amazing how the attacks on September 11th 2001 have changed the world in which we live. I think even in the Christian world of the countless books people have written trying to give answers to why this kind of suffering took place with titles such as ‘Where was God on 9/11′.

9/11 sparked the beginning of the ‘war on terror’ as it is was called. It led to subsequent war in Afghanistan and conflict within that nation ever since. It has led to the constant pursuit of Osama Bin-Laden which still remains unfruitful.

I will always remember that I was in my second week of secondary school when the attacks took place. I heard about it as I walked home with a friend, and then when I got in I saw that it was all real as Dad had Sky News on and I saw the pictures over and over again. The tragedy was horrific and the damage caused to thousands of lives and a world as a whole is unprecedented.

God is ever present and forever Sovereign in this world. I wonder what His plan was for what happened on that terrible day? I wonder if we will ever know before we get to Heaven, although I’m sure there are probably many testimonies of people who know God has used the tragedy for good.

If you get a chance do watch this message from Billy Graham, it was preached just one month after 9/11. It is only 10 minutes to watch the whole thing and it is great to be reminded of God’s total control over all things, even when it seems otherwise.

A Thought for the Day

Here is a good ‘Thought for the Day’ that I heard from Billy Graham:

‘Order is very important in most everything that we do. By putting Jesus Christ and His will for your life first, everything else will fall into place. Try putting Christ first and watch how your life is turned around.

But seek first His Kingdom and His Righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33)