Tip of My Iceberg

With realtors, the saying about the best properties is location, location, location. Where we are, where we call home, can make a huge difference in how we craft our perspective on our lives and circumstances.

Home can be a place of security and comfort, a known space that allows us to decompress and breathe. A safe haven.

It can also be a place that reminds us of hard times, loss, or pain. A location that can feel anything but safe and secure. A place that feels the heaviness of emotions, a reminder of what no longer is.

When my two sisters chose to go to Santa Rosa for a brief getaway, they did it for Gayle, who lost her husband several weeks ago. Tucson was miserably hot–an average day was hitting 110 degrees. So the change in weather was a delightful plus.

They’d also have a chance to visit our brothers and see sights that are soothing–the Pacific Ocean and the Redwood forest.

Just getting away doesn’t take away the challenges of living. Hard things happen no matter where you are–crises don’t wait for a clearing on the calendar or a convenient time.

While the two were walking one morning, an older man came out of his home with his big Labrador retriever. The dog wasn’t on a leash, and he barreled into Gayle, knocking her down and causing some serious pain.

When she finally saw a doctor, an X-ray showed no broken bones, but the doctor believes she may have torn a ligament. She’ll need an MRI when she gets home.

A simple walk on a beautiful day. Enjoyable conversation punctuated with laughter.

This feels so unfair with all Gayle has gone through. Where’s the break?

This is life. It’s unfair in every way possible, but that doesn’t give us a pass on dealing with it.

Jesus reminded us that this world isn’t our cozy place.

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth YOU WILL HAVE MANY TRIALS AND SORROWS. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

When you live in a broken place with broken people, it’s never a question of “if” hard things will happen; the question is “when”. We will all suffer in some way in this world.

Jesus says we can have peace in Him–knowing He’s with us gives unbelievably strength and resilience to handle tough times.

The prophet Isaiah understood what challenges were. He’d been called by God to speak truth to Israel and her kings, but Israel was rebelling against God and didn’t want to hear about the suffering to come. Isaiah was also prophesying about the coming Messiah who would free God’s people once and for all and establish God’s kingdom on earth with the promise of eternal reward in heaven. God told them:

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

There will always be things to fear in this world. People who are against us, who don’t want to see us succeed. And there is an enemy of darkness, the devil, who seeks to undermine all the good God does. But even the worst of fears, the hardest of times, God says don’t be afraid. He is with us.

Gayle will continue to have challenges in her life, as we all will do. But she knows her Redeemer, who is with her no matter what.

Do you have that guarantee?