Tell God Exactly How You Feel: He Can Take It! (Concerning School Shooting in Benton, KY)
I write this with a heavy heart in light of yesterday’s tragic school shooting at Marshall County High School in Benton, KY. Benton is a small town, tucked away in Kentucky farm country very near where I grew up. (In the photo below you can see Benton circled in green and my hometown in circled in blue. My family and I personally know some who were there and affected yesterday. )
There are no easy answers in a time like this. But I want to encourage all of you (myself included). To those directly impacted by yesterday’s tragedy. To the moms who hesitated when dropping your “babies” off at school this morning. And…
…to those so full of anger and rage you won’t dare talk to God in your current state. Do not be afraid to tell God exactly how you feel. He can take it!
A relationship in which one party shuts down and refuses to talk will remain stuck, but when you are willing to communicate, even if in rage, pain, or fear, then healing and progress can begin. The book of James tells us that if we draw near to God He will draw near to us. That’s a promise worth taking Him up on.
Don’t worry about offending God with your questions, worries, doubts, anger. Honestly, He already knows. And the truth is, you are in good company. King David, whom the Bible refers to as a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22), was extremely transparent with the Lord time and again, often times in much bolder verbiage than I would dare to use.
For Christians, those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ, there is such a mystery in the workings of trials and tragedies in our lives. I have learned that in tragedy and trial our faith is tested and grows as never before. I can’t explain how He manages to take the darkest of tragedies and bring from them so many stories of lives impacted and changed for the better, but He does it again and again. (Romans 8:28) What I do know is this: One person, standing strong in the midst of their pain, holding to their faith as the world watches can be used to impact countless lives for eternity.
Marshall County, the spotlight is on you now. Satan has brought destruction right to your door step, but God will take your loss and give you a stage on which to stand firm and show the World that greater is He Who is in you than he who is in the world! People are watching.
Know that there are many of us standing with you and praying for your strength to stand strong in the midst of your pain.
I am in the process of writing a book titled Purpose in Pain. This book is derived from insights gained through the pain of losing our second pregnancy in early 2011. Here is a small excerpt that I hope will be useful at this time.
“- just as He had promised in scripture, He was (and is) my Rock! When everything around me began to crumble, my foundation held.
Talk about your ultimate backfire. Instead of stopping me in my tracks, it gave me more fuel. Because God was so faithful, and I had the opportunity to see and taste His truths and see the Word put to the test and prevail in my life as never before, I am more determined than ever to share, with anyone and everyone who will listen, the great things God has done.
You see, if you and I will keep God in the forefront of our minds and keep our hearts turned towards Him, we will see this powerful scenario played out again and again in our own lives. And in doing so, we’ll open up the door not only for our own deliverance but for the benefit of others as they witness the power of our great God at work in our lives to turn tragedy into triumph.”
Verses for strength
Whether you need them now or save them for later, I challenge you to commit these to memory, and watch as His Word swells up in your spirit and brings forth a peace and a power you could never achieve on your own!
“The mountains and hills may crumble, but my love for you will never end; I will keep forever my promise of peace.” So says the Lord who loves you.” Isaiah 54:10 (GNT)
“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]” John 16:33
“Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice. For I the Lord your God hold your right hand; I am the Lord, Who says to you, Fear not; I will help you!” Isaiah 41:10,13 (AMPC)
My earlier Facebook live video can be seen here: http://https://www.facebook.com/TheMommyCall/videos/813440688816719/
If you don’t have a good study Bible here is the one I use and love.
