{"id":35387,"date":"2023-05-26T03:30:28","date_gmt":"2023-05-26T10:30:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lccredding.org\/church\/?p=35387"},"modified":"2023-05-22T08:34:01","modified_gmt":"2023-05-22T15:34:01","slug":"may-26-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lccredding.org\/church\/2023\/05\/26\/may-26-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"May 26, 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"
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How He Helps Us<\/strong><\/h2>\n

“Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.”<\/em>\u00a01 Peter 4:12,13 MSG<\/p>\n

My thoughts and prayers continue to be with those who suffered in the Turkey\/Syria earthquake. I can’t begin to imagine the horror of it all.\u00a0Some stories have come out, however, that are very encouraging.\u00a0Both journalists and aid workers said that many of those rescued reported having a “man in white” come to them with food and water.\u00a0Some said that he lifted the concrete off of them to protect them.\u00a0I worshiped and thanked the Lord when I read these reports.<\/p>\n

It made me think of all the instances when I knew the Lord was with me during these recent difficult years, especially when Floyd was in the hospital.\u00a0I never saw a “man in white,” but I felt the Lord’s presence with me time and time again.\u00a0There were a couple times when I felt His loving arms around me, supporting me, caring for me, strengthening me. I couldn’t have made it on my own.<\/p>\n

I’ll never forget the day early on when Floyd was in ICU and was going to have surgery.\u00a0The doctor said he probably wouldn’t survive the surgery, but without it he would surely die.\u00a0I told the surgeon I was praying for a miracle. Hours later\u2014much longer than the surgery was supposed to be\u2014the surgeon came out and told our family, “You might have had your miracle! When we went in to operate, the things that had been viewed on the scan and MRI were no longer there. There was nothing for us to do.”\u00a0They called in the radiologist and asked him if he could explain what had happened.\u00a0They thought he had messed up in taking the scans.<\/p>\n

That was just one of so many experiences of seeing God’s hand at work.\u00a0On days when I’m asking for fresh answers to prayer, I find it helpful to remember what He’s done in the past. Hearing of the “man in white” from the earthquake rescues is also a wonderful reminder that God is with us in our difficulties and intervenes in impossible ways.\u00a0We’re never alone!<\/p>\n

Honestly, I have a hard time thinking of how my suffering relates to the suffering that Christ endured. But I do know that I have a choice of how to go through my suffering\u2014moaning, groaning and complaining, or keeping my eyes on Him and worshipping Him. My choice makes all the difference!<\/p>\n

Not crushed, not in despair, not abandoned, not destroyed. Yes, we go through hard times of trials, sickness, weakness, suffering\u2014but it’s not a defeat.\u00a0God is always, always, always with us to help us through those times.\u00a0It’s good to call to mind how He’s helped us in the past!<\/p>\n

Father, remind us how You have helped us in the past, that we would be encouraged each day. Amen.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>

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