By Kristen Entwistle
It’s never quite the way you plan it, is it? Life?
One day, you wake up, thinking it’s all going to be all right, and then – bam. You get thrown a curve ball that you never expected.
A few weeks ago, my family faced one of those curve balls: the unexpected and largely unexplained disappearance and death of my uncle.
What do you say when something like that happens? How do you make sense of the seemingly unexplainable? How do you cope with the gaping hole that is left in his place – of a father, a husband, an uncle, a friend, a surgeon, a brother? Where do you find peace in the midst of such turmoil?
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27
Hold on a second, God. In the midst of all of this, I’m supposed to just not let my heart be troubled? You’re telling me this is easy? And just don’t be afraid. Sure. That’s just easy peasy. But your peace, your shalom, can I feel that today? Can you give me some more of that today?
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Great, thanks for that reminder, God. This life isn’t going to be a piece of cake, and we will have trouble. Right old ray of sunshine you are. But, you have overcome the world, even overcome death. At a time like this, that’s easy to lose sight of. But thank you for the reminder, and for overcoming the world. It made all the difference.
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.” Ecclesiastes 2:1,4
Yes, a time for everything. Even Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus. But remember what He said just before He went to the tomb, to Martha?
“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11: 25-26
Yes, Lord. I believe. But help my unbelief.
I don’t have all the answers. I can’t explain why my uncle’s life was ended on this earth. I don’t know how best to fill the hole that is left in his absence. But I do know where to start finding peace: At the foot of the cross, in the arms of Jesus.
i think sometimes i feel that way
That was beautiful -thank you.
Amen. So sorry for your loss. Stay at the cross. He will help you through this season of grief. Life is full of curve balls but the Lord is faithful.
We never will have all the answers once had a youth pastor share with me a simple statement
“you have to know what you have to know”
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I love this verse and I think of it often. I was even thinking about it this morning and how it could apply to different situations…I do want to….Help me to…..
Oh, Kristen, I am so terribly sorry for your loss. I do hope you are comforted by God. Even though sometimes platitudes ring false and flat in the face of such grief, God’s words are real and true, but it some times takes time to really understand them in our hearts.
I am actually reading a book by Barnabas Piper named Help My Unbelief. You might find that it is something that encourages you.
Praying for you.
I have suffered similar grief, both before becoming a Christian and afterwards. It can be terrifying and hard to trust, so I understand where you’re coming from. May God grant you that peace he promises. xo
So well said. Thank you for sharing your heart. So sorry for your loss.
Cathy
You are not alone! I am in the middle of a 4 year trial and YES, the best thing you can do in the middle of it all is to keep having faith!
Experience the grief. Feel it. then leave it at his feet. Stand n the shadow of the cross and experience his power. ((hugs)) I am so sorry for your loss.
I am so very sorry to hear about this tragedy. Thank you for sharing your vulnerability in such a raw time. May you experience the Lord’s peace and comfort in abundance. The struggle is real. The fight is real. But the pushing through and choosing to believe His Word despite how we feel is powerful. Thank you again for sharing.
Hey Kristen,
I’m so sorry for your loss. Thank you for the reminder that we can find peace in the midst of life’s curve-ball’s and storms. Our family has been thrown a number of curve-balls this year, and is similarly, seeking refuge in Him.
So sorry for your loss! It’s been a challenging few years for us too but I am so thankful for the peace that comes with Christ!