The Flame Within

We all long for an easy life, to have not only our needs, but our wants given to us. We all long to be accepted into a family, a community, a school, and especially into the church. We’re all longing for a life that feels just out of reach… We’re always striving to just get ahead. Sadly, life seems to have more losses than wins. Life has more “no’s” than “yes’s… Life has more people who reject you, than those who accept you. Family members abandon us… More people turn away than turn towards… Friends are hard to find… Sadly… friends often leave for no reason. Bank accounts empty and replenishment is sparse… Loved ones die… Tests results reveal terminal illnesses.

Life hurts… We bleed… Bones break… Homes burn down… Families fall apart… We feel pain… We feel
broken… We find ourselves fearful, lonely, and sometimes shattered. Sometimes in life we get slammed… all these seem to hit at once and it can feel like we’re going to crumble under the pressure…. As if the heaviness of the pain of life is more than one can manage. It happens to all of us at some time in our lives. It’s true! We can’t “godly” our way out of life’s trials and pain. We are human and being human means experiencing life… and life can’t be lived without our share of pain and suffering.

This is “sadly” a part of life… Pain. Pain is hard. It’s deep. It’s sad. We want to run from the pain and into anything that will distract us the discomfort in our chests, our hearts, our souls. After all, life can surely hurt at times. Truth is… we never really outrun our pain.

This is where Satan attacks at his finest. This is where Satan’s lies leach into our hearts, souls, and minds. He tells us we’re not good enough. That no one will accept us. That no one will stay. That we’re unworthy of love. He tells us that everyone will leave. That everyone we love can and will die… He tells us to be fearful, to be afraid at our cores. He tells us that we’re stuck and we’ll always be stuck. He tells us we’re unlovable and that we will never find people who will love and accept us. He tells us “What’s the use… Why even care… Why try?”

This is what Satan enacts when he see’s us at our weakest and most vulnerable places. He speaks atrocious lies and works to disguise the truth. Satan acts as a barrier to the love, provision, affection, and faithfulness of God. It’s a plan that “all to often” works… He tells us when we lose a loved one… The whole will never be filled. He tells us that our lives will never be joyful, successful, fulfilling, or peaceful again. This is Satan and he’s conniving, the master manipulator, and creates destruction, confusion, devastation everywhere he goes. It’s all lies! He’s a liar! Friend’s, listen… Satan is a liar!

The truth is… Life is hard. It’s filled with considerable heartache, trial, pain, loss, and sometimes devastation. The truth is people do leave… they do abandon… they reject. The truth is money is tight and recession and war is real and hard. The truth is we are left in valley’s and often times long and hard valley’s. The truth is when loved one’s pass away, we’re left with gaping holes and shattered hearts. The truth is that although pain is a part of the human condition… God is there and he has a plan for our lives. He provides for our emotional, financial, and physical needs. The truth is the same loved one you have to say goodbye to… You will see again in Heaven. The truth is God sends other angels and loved ones who are ready to fill in necessary gaps. The truth is… when finances are dwindling… He always provides for our needs. The truth is… there is healing after pain. The truth is after the tears… Joy will follow. The truth is… those red and swollen eyes will be bright and joy-filled again. The truth is… No feeling is final. No matter how deep or real it feels in the moment. The truth is… No feeling is final.

The truth is… There is joy in our sorrow. There is hope in our pain. The truth is … “We are God’s precious creation and He will never abandon us. The truth is suffering endures for the night… but joy comes in the morning. The truth is… If God is for us who can be against us. The truth is… One day we are headed to our eternal home where there will be no more pain and no more tears. The truth is… our suffering on Earth is temporary. The truth is… There is hope, love, faith, and joy around the corner. The truth is… God is always with us and we are never alone. The truth is… God meets all our needs.

This is the truth… When life is hard… Hold onto the promises. His promises are true!

God is grace!
God is mercy!
God is love!
God is provider!
God is comforter!

When Satan attacks in our weakest and most vulnerable moments… Fall into the arms of…

Jesus…
Jesus…
Jesus…

Jesus is… TRUTH!

Blessings, Crystal Ridlon