Suffering & Blessing

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too." - 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Seems like since the accident I've felt and seen lots of pain, physically, emotionally, spiritually and mentally. Even for a while I was in fear of financial burdens. As a full-time missionary, you're often referred to being on the front lines. It's a great analogy to stay aware of the nature of spiritual warfare but sometimes we see those people as heroes or persons who are bold and courageous... not often realizing they may return wounded or even worse, dead. On the battlefield and in a spiritual sense, these realizations are very true. The car accident made me feel like I was wounded in the battle, but last night I felt ...nearly incapable of healing to full strength.

I had a dream where I was crying heavily and a gentle tall elderly man I knew as a child came to comfort me by dancing with me to an old-time Gospel song. At the end, he twirled me and told me it would be okay as long I trust God's love. This man died at least ten years ago and was not even in my life for a significat time, but he made a significant impact. God used him to communicate to me the importance of faith. Reminding me of 1 Peter 5:9,10 - there are reasons for suffering and I'm not alone so I can endure because the "Father of mercies" who was "acquainted with grief" and a "man of sorrows" has "endured mocking and pain", obeying even til the point of death on a cross".

1Peter 4:16 "But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by His name!"