Even If He Does Not: Part 1

I’ve always been a pretty optimistic person. It’s one of my core personality traits.

Of course, I believe this to be a most admirable trait… but I suppose it could sometimes strike the realists in the crowd as annoyingly Pollyanna.

“Eh,” I tend to say, regardless of the present reality. “I’m sure it will all work out fine.” 

Except I’ve become increasingly aware that it doesn’t always turn out fine.

All in all, my life continues to be pretty grand, with blessings beyond what I can count. Yet, at any given moment, my mind will wander to friends and loved ones – good, faithful, beautiful people—who are facing incredibly difficult situations.

Cancer. Death of loved ones. Searching. Loneliness. Hurt.

I’m often overcome as I look into the faces of people at church who are dealing with circumstances beyond my comprehension. They are anything but fine.

And yet, there they are – Sunday after Sunday – praising Jesus with broken hearts and tear-stained faces.

What in the world keeps them coming back?!!

I suppose the world would have any number of explanations. Delusion? Denial? Desperation? Stupidity?

Maybe. 

But in my experiences with heart-broken Christians, I’ve encountered something entirely different…. an unshakeable hope and peace that only comes from walking hand-in-hand with God through the fire.