New blog alert

Just a quick note to anyone that follows my blog. 

I have decided to create a new one about a journey that I've begun. 

If you want to look, it's at

http://unlikelyleader.blogspot.co.uk/

I will still be writing on this one but I will add a bit more often to the new one than I do on this. 

Hope you enjoy it. 

Why do bad things still happen to God's people?

John 11 v 33

“When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.”

John 11:33 NIV

http://bible.com/111/jhn.11.33.niv

Suffering is like the rain. Sometimes it's heavy. Sometimes it's light. Sometimes it stops for a while. But it falls on everyone. You can dodge about as much as you like, but it will still hit you. As soon as you step out into the world, there's a chance you'll get wet. So what do we do? Do we hide away and try to avoid it? No. We take that risk and we get out there with everyone else. 

When we first come to God, He doesn't say that it won't rain on you, but he hands you an umbrella. It's up to us if we want to stand under his love and grace. You will still get wet. You still will feel hurt and suffering, but nothing like as much as if you didn't have one.

And then, just as you get used to having the umbrella you become aware that some people don't have an umbrella. 

It's then that you have the choice. Do you keep yourself as dry as possible, or go to those without an umbrella and share yours?

Laugh with those who laugh but remember to weep with those who weep. 

Down but not out.

I'm writing this as I sit at the end of my daughter's hospital bed. She has suffered a burn to her neck following an ice pack being used to cool down an eczema flare up. It's interesting that the thing that was making her feel better was actually doing her the most harm. 

There are things in my life and maybe yours that although they give us comfort, actually make things worse. The phrase "how can it be bad when it feels this good" doesn't really work when reality kicks in. Something good for us may feel bad and vice versa. 

After an early start to bring her to the hospital delayed my bible reading till now and today's reading contained 

Psalm 34 v17-20

17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
    he delivers them from all their troubles.
18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted 
    and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

19 The righteous person may have many troubles, 
    but the Lord delivers him from them all; 
20 he protects all his bones,
    not one of them will be broken.

It was a difficult week with many trips to hospital, uncertainty about what was wrong with my child and, to top it all, my car breaking down. I must admit I sat in my car waiting to be rescued wondering what God was doing. Was the stress of an ill child not quite enough? I ended up telling God that although I had no idea what He was doing, I could carry on trusting Him and would just have to assume that there was something worse that perhaps He was saving me from. And I was thankful that I had family close by that could help with transport. 

Anyway, as I read theses verses I can picture myself sitting in my car or by my daughter's bed crying out to God and I am glad to say that although He doesn't stop us from having troubles, God does deliver us from them. My daughter's skin is healing better than expected and my car will be working again soon. 

When all is said and done God comes through and delivers the righteous from their troubles.