Dealing With Doubt, Doubt, Love, Trust, Words of Endurance
When we stretch out our hand to help, we stretch out the hand of Christ’s Body.
DR. PAUL BRAND (FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE)
When we need God’s comfort and encouragement, most of us want it in a big way – we secretly long for a “burning bush” experience to erase all doubts of God’s existence. But most of the time, God conveys His love through far more approachable means – through the gentle touch of a human hand or the familiar sound of a friend’s voice. Fallible as we are, God often uses human couriers to make His presence known. During my battle with cancer, I learned to recognize God’s love and care being expressed to me in human form. In our book, When You Can’t Comeback, I reflected:
“At times in the wilderness, God seemed to be distant, if not absent altogether. But just when our mouths were parched and Jan and I felt we would die of thirst, God provided a well in the wilderness, Dr. McGowen. Just when we were completely disoriented, He provided a sign pointing the way, Dr. Townsend. Just when it looked as if every trace of Him had vanished, He provided a flower – Sealy Yates. Just when it felt as if I were going to die from sunstroke, He provided shade – Atlee Hammaker. Through them, we learned that God was not absent in the wilderness. He was there. We saw Him. In the caring eyes of a family doctor. In the sympathetic voice of a Psychologist. In the helping hands of a friend. In the comfortable presence of a fellow ballplayer. In the arms of a loving church.” So if you find yourself questioning where God is in the midst of your suffering, when you begin to doubt His love and concern – you need to look no farther than the hands of those who have fed, encouraged, and comforted you to see that He has been there all along.
“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.
Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
JOHN 13:34-35 (NLT) WORDS OF JESUS
On the journey with you,
Dave Dravecky