Look a diversion...

          When my kids were younger, we spent quite a bit of time riding in the car back and forth to school. When you have siblings in the car, together, for any length of time they tend to find things to “discuss”. Sometimes the discussions could be loud and start to make mom very annoyed. When this would happen, I would often put on my pretend happy mommy voice and say, “Look a diversion!” This would usually stop their discussion as they quickly looked out the window to find the diversion. I did not realize until the kids were older that they thought a diversion was another word for cows, since we live in rural Oklahoma and almost every time I said that, there were cows out the window. They weren’t even aware what a diversion was, but it would distract them so that they forgot what they were doing.

          In this case, a diversion or distraction was a good thing, but have you noticed how easy it is to be distracted from what we are supposed to be focused on? The devil is a master at diversion. Life is full of distractions- work, school, schedules, church commitments and these are just the everyday things that distract us. Then there are the seasons in life that are full of heartbreaking distractions, full of storms, that are so difficult to deal with that we can barely think straight. This week I have thought a lot about the things that people deal with that bring heart ache and disappointment and how hard it can be to see past that. I have friends dealing with hurts in their marriage, spouses dealing with cancer, loss of jobs and security. We also just came off of Mother’s Day weekend, and in recent years I have realized that though this should be a happy day, for many it is not. To many people, this day is a reminder of sadness and disappointment. Missing mothers or children who have passed away, being reminded of children who have gone astray, or even having a deep desire to have children, but not yet having that dream fulfilled. When we are struggling with these issues, sometimes it can feel so overwhelming that we have a hard time thinking of anything else. As I have pondered these things this week, I have been moved to tears at the pain I see those around me dealing with and it has made me think of the song that says, “Break my heart for what breaks yours”. I have just had such a desire to pray for those hurting and wanting to see them comforted.

          Since I am a fixer, I want to fix these issues for everyone. I want to comfort everyone and make it all ok for them, and it is so hard when I cannot. I have been having to remind myself that it isn’t my job to fix it for everyone, and when I try and fix it, I might be standing in the way of them leaning on the one who can. A few weeks ago, I read the verse in Romans 8:11 that says the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you. I have probably read that verse a hundred times, but this time when I read it I had an “Aha” moment. How amazing is it to think that God’s Spirit, the same Spirit that had the power to raise Jesus from the dead, the same spirit that comforted him when he was facing the cross, is inside us at all times wherever we go!

          As I have been thinking about these things this week, several verses in Psalm have come to mind. The first one is Psalm 34:18-19-The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time. The second is Psalm 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. God’s Spirit is in us and is available to help us every time. God heals our broken hearts and bandages our wounds. When we are hurting, when we are disappointed, when we are in the middle of these storms- God is there to heal you and rescue you. When you are in the storm, it is easy to be distracted and lose sight of the one who can get you through the storm.

          In Mark 4, there is a story about Jesus and the disciples crossing a lake. It was night time and as they were going across, Jesus fell asleep. Soon a horrible storm rose up around them and the disciples started freaking out. That is understandable. If I was in a boat, and it looked like I might die, I think I would be tempted to do a little freaking out myself. They woke Jesus up and asked him if he even cared that they were about to drown. Jesus just got up calm and peaceful and told the wind and the waves to be still. The disciples were terrified because their eyes were on the storm, when the whole time they could have had peace because they had Jesus (who was filled with the Holy Spirit) with them. When you, as a Christian, are in a storm, you are in it with the Holy Spirit of God living inside of you. Don’t let the presence of the storm distract you and cause you to doubt the presence of the Lord.

          When we are in the middle of a stormy season in our lives, it is easy to feel alone and helpless. You may even want to scream out and yell at God asking him why you are going through this. When something tragic happens, you often hear people ask, “Why did God do this to me?” We have to know that God did not “do this” to us. In John 10:10 it says the thief comes to kill, still, and destroy, but that Jesus came so we could have abundant life. God does not bring us the things that cause us pain, the devil does. God wants us to have a good and peaceful life. John 16:33 says I have told you this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrow, but take heart because I have overcome the world. Jesus warned us that in this world there will be difficult things, there will be sad and disappointing things that happen, but there is more that He says to us. In Romans 8:28, it says that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God. Even our sorrows and heartbreak can be worked out for our good. Will this always be easy, absolutely not. Will we be tired and worn out from the things we face in this life- sometimes, but God has promised to help us.

          In John 14:6, we read that Jesus will pray and God will give us another comforter that will abide with us forever. God has sent the Holy Spirit to be our comforter. There is also something else that God wants for us after He has comforted us. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 says, “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” God wants us to help each other. God is our true comforter, but He has also assigned us the job of helping others who are hurting. This could look like simply giving a listening ear, or cooking a meal, sharing the pain you have been through and encouraging someone that they can also make it through. Everything that you go through, God can give it a purpose greater than your pain, if you will let Him.

          If you are in a season of heart ache or pain right now, instead of letting that pain distract you from God, let it draw you closer to Him. It is ok to cry out to God to ask Him to help you. Some days you may feel like the only thing you can do is put one foot in front of the other, but He will give you the strength to do it. Remind yourself that this storm is only for a season, but God has promised to rescue you from it. The rescue may not always look the way we want it to, but He promises to rescue us. He promises to bind up our broken hearts and heal them. As the presence of the storm seems to fill your vision, make a choice to turn your eyes to the presence of the savior.