Peace and encouragement

This is from an e-mail I sent to some friends who are experiencing difficulty right now. I hope it may be a blessing to others as well:

Last night I was reading a book by Anne Graham Lotz (Billy Graham's daughter) and something struck me and I am hoping that it will bring you peace and encouragement today because I know you are going through a difficult and stressful time right now.

Anne Graham Lotz says in her book, 'Pursuing More of Jesus', that to the disciples Jesus' death on the cross appeared to them as murder (p. 180). Remember that the disciples saw Jesus walk on water, calm storms with one word, raise Lazarus from the dead, and heal many people who were sick. Now He was taken from them and crucified.

We have the benefit of knowing the rest of the story, that Jesus would be resurrected 3 days later, however to the disciples this looked like an unplanned, traumatic event. It looked like Jesus was murdered and that His ministsry was defeated, and over. Anne Graham Lotz says about the disciples that, "Their faith would be rocked to its foundation." (p. 180).

Now, consider your situation. We can only see what looks to us like abandonment, or that we are deserted, forsaken, forgotten or ignored, because we can only see in part (1 Corinthians 13:12). Just as the disciples could only see what looked like murder. However, 3 days later it turned out to be an opportunity for God's glory.

I bought a new CD last week. One of the songs is entitled, 'Stay Strong' by the Newsboys.
The lyrics read:
"Stay strong, you are not lost. Fix your eyes ahead. We've come to far to lose our way."

It is easier said than done but when things don't make sense, trust. Trust Him. Anne Graham Lotz says, "We simply have to trust our Heavenly Father to know best. We have to trust God's silences and respect God's mysteries and wait for God's answers (p. 181)."

Peace and encouragement to you!
Darlene