All the Days of My Life | May 5, 2024

Today Pastor Dale continued our series in Psalm 23 and we saw,
right in the middle of this “comfort Psalm”, the Psalm of rest,
assurance and refreshment, that we will face tough times. We will
struggle, maybe even suffer, even when we are following him.
Though we may resist these ideas, we’ve probably all come to
realize that discipline and redirection has benefits for all
of us. 


The Lord’s Shepherding plan is this: 


He wants us to learn all we need to learn 


He wants to form something deep, beautiful and powerful within
us. 


That still leaves the questions, why pain? It is in the darkest
valley where we learn to know ourselves, to really understand
what is in us and shaping us. Valleys reveal our fears, our lack
of faith, hidden denials. The truth is, many of us would prefer a
life of easy victories: growth without crisis, healing without
pain, the resurrection without the cross. But what if God is
actually found in our hard times? 


It’s often in the valley and in the struggle, when we move from
talking about God to talking to God. When we look back and
pause, we have the opportunity to discern God’s presence in those
events that have made us or unmade us. In that, it is possible to
see God’s amazing presence being with us through the toughest of
times and to honestly say “Even in the darkest valleys, you are
with me”. Pastor Dale encouraged us with a few thoughts.
To get out of it, you have to go through it, but don’t do it
alone. Share with someone: “I have this weight I am carrying,
can you, or someone you know help me with this?”. This always
starts with prayer together.   This process is also
for our kids. Our children have to go through it. It’s vital to let
them feel the weight of a struggle. Be there with them so they have
a tangible example of what God’s presence is like. Be the
presence of Jesus with others as they go through it. 

Ask “Is there anything I can do for you?” 

Listen to what God is bringing to mind as you talk with
them 

Remember that God is doing his best work in these tough times