“Slamming my car into a bridge at 120 mph.
Jumping from my 20th floor balcony.”
Whoah! Are you serious????
Not today, but, yes, I have been there a number of times.
Over the last year especially, me too. My wife left one year ago, then I got laid off. I was unable to perform up to my previous level, mostly due to the shock of her leaving, so I got a package. That is now gone, so I am cashing in some RRSPs to live on and pay bills (I think Stateside you call them IRAs). No job interviews yet and losing our house is a distinct possibility at 52 YoA. My former church closed in January. I pray that I do not experience a year like this again, nor would I wish it on anyone else, but I thank the Lord for this past year’s experience.
During this past year, my faith has grown deeply, sinking roots and turning rocky ground into fertile soil. We sometimes think that we have built our foundations on rock, but we can be easily mistaken. It is in the valley where we grow. Many scripture passages refer to the Lord passing us through a refining fire. Is it painful? Of course, trials (fire) are painful but we learn to appreciate the mountain-top only if we experience the valley. Our ‘instant gratification’ society does not understand, nor wish to understand trials. Most leftist/socialist voters (Democrat in US, Liberal & NDP in Canada) flee trials. Unfortunately, Pastor Warren’s son may have had emotion/mental issues and could not understand the ‘beauty’ of trials.
No matter what the challenge, hold on to Jesus! Remember, Peter walking on the Sea of Galilee? When he focused on Jesus, he could walk on the water, yet when he looked away, he sank. (Matthew 14:22-33, Mark 6:45-52, John 6:16-21) Keep your eyes on the Lord and watch Him do amazing things!