It’s Hard To Watch Friends Suffer

3-52pm

Today, I watched a friend receive bad news and feel ‘everything is going wrong.’ It was hard and heartbreaking. It’s not what we want and it’s absolutely not what we have prayed for.  I want to throw my hands up in despair and say, ‘Lord, you have heard me! Why are you not answering? Why can’t you do this little thing for us?”  But then I am reminded of my reflections some years ago, while standing on the CCFm balcony when the Main Rd. road works were holding up the traffic in Muizenberg. A L-O-N-G train of cars snaked their way for kilometres.  Standing on the balcony, I could see the cars begin to move some distance up. The cars at the end of the queue couldn’t see this. Some would hoot impatiently and set off a cacophony of noisy complaints. Some drivers would do u-turns, going the longer way round. All the time, I would be thinking, ‘if only I could tell them, “the cars ahead are moving…just another minute or two and you’ll be through. It’s all going to be okay. Hang in there.” But I was on the balcony and although they may have been able to see me standing there, they certainly couldn’t hear me and most of them weren’t looking anyway. So what if God is looking down on us and seeing our distress and seeing ahead and saying, “It’s looking good ahead, just another minute or two and you’ll be through. It’s all going to be okay. Hang in there.” God’s perspective is so different to ours. He does see ahead. He sees beyond the horizon. He sees 100 years from now. He sees 1000 years from now. We can trust him with the next 5 minutes and we can trust him with the next 50 years. But it still doesn’t detract from the pain we feel when we see others suffering. We feel helpless. All we can do is pray… and pray. And cling. “My soul CLINGS to God. His right hand upholds me.” (Psalm 63:8)

We have to let go, and let God. So to my friend I say,

I know it is hard. I wish it could be different. You will never walk alone.

Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.

He will work out His perfect plan.

He will never let you go. You are in His Grip.

We your friends are praying for you.

Loads of love

Helga xx