Where is God when it hurts?

[~Sol]

Chazz,

It's no coincidence that God has put us here on this board, I believe that. I once told myself that I would never post on here again, and well, here I am!

Interesting you mentioned that God helps us THROUGH circumstances instead of delivering us FROM them. My pastor preached that very same message, in fact he preaches from a practical standpoint, and he's very charismatic as well. His charisma seemed awkward to me at first, maybe I thought he was just putting on a show. But the more I listen to him preach, the more I am convinced that he is truly speaking from his heart and not just blowing smoke up our a$$. So I listen more intently to what God is saying to us.

Today on my way to work I found myself praying to God as if he was sitting in the front passenger seat, a living breathing person. I didn't pray for random things, or the usual, I was very specific and prayed about changing my character and letting God soften my heart again. It was hard for me to do, I had to knock down my male pride, and really had to work at accepting God's spirit to simply work in me. I felt in awe and was getting overwhelmed, so I didn't pray too much, just enough to get me focused on what I need to do today.

I also am realizing that even if I get hurt again in another R, and I get dumped and get told I'm not loved anymore - that shouldn't matter to me because we already have a God that does love us - I mean truly loves us - I hope this makes sense, but I am comforted by that fact. I don't "NEED" a woman to love me and fill the void, I "desire" one, but I really need God more. And God wants to provide us with a mate in this life anyway, so I am worrying over nothing. Part of God's plan is for us - man and woman - to be joined. That's his design for us as far as I understand it. I feel good about that. I am sure all God wants us to do is simply obey him, that's why we fell from grace, and why humanity is fallible.

I just thought I would share this today.

P.S. I also wanted to share that my pastor doesn't like the "spooky-spiritual" stuff, (keyword "spooky") ya know when Christians just seem too out there and not real? He's more concerned about things like how our marriages are doing and can we pay the bills? That's a GOOD pastor.