2024-05-10
Good morning, Dear Ones,
As you know, I’ve been directed by the Holy Spirit to write about some tough subjects and how our Lord helps us through such challenges. Today, He directs me to write about the trauma of tragic accidents and crime. If you wonder what this has to do with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, from GA 5: 22-23, which bears repeating. We will look at cases where these gifts apply. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility (gentleness), and self-control. Against such things as these, there is no law.”
A lady from the time she was a youth was a champion swimmer. While still young, she and her family were traveling by train when there was a derailment. She was thrown off the train and both her legs were so badly severed that she would never walk again. The accident had left her paraplegic! One might ask, what can be positive about that? However, the self-discipline she had learned in becoming a swimming champion served her well. Once the shock of her trauma had died down, she set upon becoming a para-Olympian in skiing and over time, accomplished that goal. She was a lady of faith and learned to rely on the Lord for the strength she needed to make this transition. She knew that God would help her in this time of tragedy to recover and to meet her most remarkable goal. JAS 1: 12, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because having stood the test, that person will receive a crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” Of course, not every paraplegic will rise to such a lofty goal, but our God heals people both emotionally and physically so they can lead useful lives.
Let me share a true story that happened recently in Toronto, Canada. There has been an influx of immigrants into that country –many from places like Ukraine to escape the war that Russia has forced on them, and from Sri Lanka and other places. To my way of thinking these immigrants, join indigenous First Nation people, and people who have been Canadian citizens for generations in making that country a strong mix of cultures that makes a healthy society, just as America has been. A family of five originally from Sri Lanka, invited a Sri Lankan young man to stay with them, as the latter was a new immigrant, until he would become established. Something went wrong, horribly wrong! Friendly neighbors reached out one morning to visit. To their horror and all who watched this story on CTV, the Canadian news station I watch, this newcomer murdered the entire family except the father, who was immediately taken to hospital in critical condition. Why is evil like this a part of our world? People of faith know that the evil one is active in it. We inherit the original sin and heap any sin we ourselves commit on this “sin load.” As with the bet made in the story of JOB, we know that God eventually wins the bet. 1 JN 4: 3-4, “But every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the One Who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” We can find comfort in that and in relying on our faith in Jesus Christ. Yes, the Sri Lankan family was Hindu, but that doesn’t mean that Christ has no access to them. His power for good is so great, that even those who spend their lives in other belief systems can’t be reached. Certainly, Christ is capable of bringing faith in Himself to whoever He wants. This father is recovering, but it will take him quite a while to heal after such a tremendous loss. Please join me in praying for him and that the Lord will reach out to him. A foundation for our faith is REV 21: 4, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
PRAYER: O Most Holy Father, Your power to heal us from trauma is far beyond anything a human can apply. We are so grateful that Your will is for what is best for us. Your presence in our lives gives Your perspective on our trials and the hope of the resurrection. RO 6: 4, “We are therefore buried with Him through baptism, into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” Our lives on earth are tested in the Refiner’s fire. 1 PET 1: 7, “So that the tested genuineness of your faith –more precious than gold and perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” We offer You much deserved praise, thanks, loyalty, glory, and honor in the holy/mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
NEXT WEEK: I’m called upon to write about something I’ve never experienced first- hand, but members of my family have. It is combat fatigue. My father was a miliary physician who served for 3 years in WW II in the Philippines, two of my brothers served in the miliary—one in the infantry and the other in a unit of officers doing chemical research. My oldest brother (adopted) escaped with his family as a little boy from the Nazis into Switzerland, but his natural father was killed in WW II. My father-in-law served in the European Theater of Operations in WW II and drove a tank in the invasion of Utah Beach and the Battle of the Bulge. I will share the story of Nathan Schmidt, a Marine Colonel who served in Iraq, and what the Lord did to refresh his life after losing many of his buddies in Fallujah—some of the bloodiest battles of that war. Let me end with God’s perspective found in 2 COR 4: 16-17, “For this reason (God’s grace) we never become discouraged, even though our physical self is gradually decaying, yet our spiritual being is renewed day after day and this small and temporary trouble we suffer will bring us tremendous and eternal glory, which is greater than the trouble.” Praise and thanks be to Him!
Grace Be with You Always,
Lynn, JS 24: 15
© Lynn Johnson 2024. All Rights Reserved.
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