There is so much pain in this world, and sometimes I feel so cold and uncaring. There are times that when I hear of horrible events, I zone out. Like I’m disconnecting from reality. It hurts too much to think about it.
Like when I heard this past week on the local news that a 14-year-old girl was raped, my mind struggles to grasp it. Bouncing from dropping off to an unfeeling zone and pouring out a heart-ripping cry to God for her. My mind starts racing further and worrying about all those children and adults who are suffering silently and don’t have someone safe to tell or the courage to come forward. Or those who are in the bonds of human trafficking. And I ask – Why God? Can’t You stop all this evil in this world? The weight becomes unbearable, and it’s like my mind disassociates and goes to a dead zone where I can’t feel. It’s just too much to think about all this happening to anyone.
Then the next day we hear of the terrorist attack on Paris. God, when will all this violence stop? Please help!
When I finally opened my site’s dashboard to attempt another post, there were more spam comments. A majority of them lately have the word “porn” in the address, and I want to scream and run. And again I start worrying about all those who are being used and abused by those who make evil choices. All this pressure on my mind feels like it will erupt, so my mind takes me to a place of not feeling again. God, forgive me for feeling so cold and indifferent sometimes instead of immediately bringing it to You!
I know God has a purpose in everything, but it can be so hard to see the good in it sometimes, can’t it? He doesn’t send abusers and terrorists to anyone. We all have choices on whether to choose good or evil. It pains me to think of anyone having to suffer for someone’s evil choice. I can’t even fathom how much God must ache for humanity. Only He can bear the weight of it all.
As I write, I think of the serenity prayer I so often have to pray when I feel so helpless to change what’s happening with those around me or in this world. “God, grant me to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.” But now I’m thinking – Oh God, I can’t accept the pain some people are enduring, but I will accept that You are a BIG GOD and nothing is impossible for You. I will accept that there are many things I cannot change, and You have all things under control. You are still on the throne. Rise, help, and redeem us, O Lord! Do not forget the helpless! We rely on You, Lord. Please help!
Are you one of those hurting ones? Is your heart bowed down in pain? Remember Jesus cares about those who are hurting. He cries with you. He doesn’t want you to hurt. May He bring healing to your broken heart!
“Rise up! Help us!
Redeem us because of Your faithful love.”
Psalm 44:26
And looking at them Jesus said to them,
“With people this is impossible,
but with God all things are possible.”
Matthew 19:26
“Arise, Lord! Lift up Your hand, O God.
Do not forget the helpless.”
Psalm 10:12
“Then Asa called to the Lord his God and said,
“Lord, there is no one like You to help the powerless against the mighty.
Help us, Lord our God, for we rely on You,
and in Your name we have come against this vast army.
Lord, You are our God;
do not let mere mortals prevail against You.”
2 Chronicles 14:11
“Give Me Your Eyes”
by Brandon Heath
“Give me Your eyes for just one second
Give me Your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me Your love for humanity
Give me Your arms for the broken-hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me Your eyes so I can see.”
There is no one like You, Almighty God,
Who can help the powerless against the mighty.
Your love is faithful! Please rise, help, and redeem us!
Linking up with:
Holley – Coffee For Your Heart
Jennifer – Tell His Story
Kelly – Cheerleaders of Faith
Barbie – Weekend Whispers
Freed to Fly 
Yes, yes, Trudy. He is with us in this storm …
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“He is with us in this storm.” Thank you, Linda. It truly is a storm, isn’t it? May we remember we have Jesus with us in the boat! May God bless you and keep you! Hugs!
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Hi Trudy! Oh my gosh, do I relate to this post or what? It’s so true, life just crashes in sometimes, and this inhumanity seems so unfathomable. Well, it is. Who can understand this absolute lack of compassion and worth in life?
We do need to pray, we do need to practice tolerance in our lives. And you know those spammers? I get that garbage all the time. Just be thankful you see it for what it is, and don’t print those crazy comments. I always smile when I trash them. Nice try! Not today!
Blessings,
Ceil
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I’m glad you can relate, Ceil. Though I don’t want you to suffer from life crashing in on you sometimes. If we don’t fix our eyes on God Who is still good in all this chaos, we could not humanly stand it, could we? I need some of your positive attitude, Ceil! Just to smile as you trash the spam. Actually, what is scary though is that some comments sound fine, but then when I look at the address, I see “porn.” I’m so glad my spam folder stopped them. But yes, I’ll have to try to take delight in trashing them instead of letting them depress me. 🙂 May God give you strength and peace for each day! Hugs!
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Beautiful honest words! God is here even when His presence seems so far away. We may never know the whys for the pain and destruction in our world but we know God who sees through it all. Thank you for these beautiful words today!
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Thank you, Mary. “God is here even when His presence seems so far away.” So true. Thank you for the reminder. We have to cling to the sure promise that He is always with us and will never abandon us, no matter how bad the storm is. May we continue to cling to His promises that are yea and amen in Jesus! Hugs!
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Oh my, yes and Amen, Trudy! The immense deluge of death, destruction, pain and problems, stress and suffering can easily overwhelm as it saturates our souls. And how we need our Saviour’e eyes to see beyond the surface of things to the state of the human heart which only He can redeem. All love, compassion, mercy and grace originate from God, and we reveal His tender heart for humanity in the sharing of it. Yet He knows how limited we are and how we may also need to extend grace and compassion toward ourselves for feeling like we’re drowning in overwhelm. As we take each need to God we release its outcome to Him too, and rest in His all sufficiency for every human need. Blessings of peace and strength to you. Xx ❤
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“As we take each need to God we release its outcome to Him too, and rest in His all sufficiency for every human need.” Yes, if we can release the outcome to Him and rest in His all-sufficiency, it becomes more bearable, doesn’t it? I especially notice your verbs – release and rest. How we need that! Another part that speaks to my heart in your comment is that we may also need to extend grace and compassion to ourselves for feeling like we’re drowning in overwhelm. I think I need to learn more of that. Thank you, Joy, for your understanding and encouragement. So often when I read what you write at your blog and what you comment here, my heart says “Amen.” May God give you strength in every way and a deep rest in Him! Hugs!
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Hi Trudy,
Sometimes it just seems as if the pain in this world can overwhelm us but you point us to the only one who can provide us the peace we can’t find and the serenity that doesn’t seem possible during difficult times. I’m so glad we can take our unanswered questions to him and leave them there, trusting that he will carry us through. My heart aches for beautiful Paris, my favorite city, after traveling there 3 years ago. Joining you in prayer! xo
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“I’m so glad we can take our unanswered questions to him and leave them there, trusting that he will carry us through.” Amen. That’s such a blessing! I’m sure the pain in Paris touches you even more as I know you’ve been there and love that city. Praying God will soothe your aching heart, Valerie! Hugs!
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Trudy,
I can relate to that overwhelmed feeling…and I have to remind myself of what is true, like you did in your post for us and for yourself…Yes, let us continue to pray and to cry out to God on behalf of all those suffering…one day, God will right all wrongs and even now, He is changing people’s hearts and lives although we don’t hear about it on the news…((Hugs))
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Such an encouraging thought, Dolly, that God will someday right all wrongs and is even now is changing hearts even though we don’t hear about it on the news. Yes, together we will continue to pray and cry out to God on behalf of those suffering. It’s a blessing to partner with you in this. Praying God will hold you up continually and give you wisdom and peace! Hugs!
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Hi Trudi- Thanks for this post- I have been feeling so overwhelmed and down as well by all the evil and heartache and have asked God similar questions. It is hard to know what to do with it all- Thank you for holding up the truth inspite of our feelings- So glad to have sisters in Christ like you who will help me to stand on His word and the truth esp on days when it is hard to do sending hugs
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It can really be depressing, can’t it, Susie? I’m so glad God is patient and understanding with our questions. You help me to stand on His Word and the truth, too, with your hope-filled poems. I look forward to them each week. Praying Jesus will hold you close and give you strength and peace for each day! Hugs back to you, dear sister in Christ! 🙂
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You put it so well and with so much humility. It is exactly how I feel too. Thank you for being so real
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Thank you, Kristina. It’s tough to not feel that way, isn’t it? It can get so overwhelming and we can feel so helpless. I’m so glad God is bigger than all of it! May He watch over you and give you strength and peace and help you to unload your burdens on Him who can carry it all! Hugs!
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My dear friend, you have answered all your questions by going to His word and going to Him in prayer. He is indeed with us, and greater is He Who is in us that he who is in the world! May His peace calm you and comfort you this day.
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Thank you, June. “Greater is He who is in us that He who is in the world!” I love that song. Thank you for reminding me of it. May God bless you and keep you! Hugs!
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I agree with you, Trudy. The pain in the world is so wide and deep. I’m overwhelmed by the stories I hear and the images I see on TV. Thankfully God is still in control and will work everything for His purposes. Have a blessed week ahead!
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Thank you for understanding, Carrie. It can get so overwhelming. But yes, as you say, “God is still in control and will work everything for His purposes.” That gives hope in the darkness! May Jesus lift you and carry you when life gets overwhelming! Hugs!
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