Death

Death has been a haunting reality at SSB over the past days.  We, the SSB family, have been beset by mankind’s enemy four times in the month of March – Steve, Deane, Freya (Hewett’s granddaughter stillborn), and Betty (Becky Stauffer’s mother).  The loss and pain affect us all.

We, along with most of eastern Nebraska, have also been beset by water – generally a precious commodity but not always.  Some of us have been displaced and bank accounts hit.  The infrastructure repair costs will impact all of us.  Also, the Ag economy will be impacted which will also have an affect.  It is a huge hit!

Then there is the on-going cancer battle waged by some of us.  We are glad for great medical strides in this area but also recognize the toll it takes on a life and those near.  It is a great enemy and a haunting threat.

And what about those beset by long term maladies – Chron’s disease, tracheotomies, bowel obstructions and troubles, MS, headaches, and neurological disorders – among others!  Those who have such must daily deal and battle, often done so quietly with little or no prospect of improvement and they carry on with good spirits.  Too often their silence lulls us asleep to their need.

So, as a church, what are we to do with these troubles?  We are to practice HELPS:

And how are we to prepare for more of the same?  We need to deepen our faith in our mighty God.  We can expect more and we can go through these with a joy, peace, and strength when we realize that our God has allowed such, is with us through it all, and uses such to grow us and others to impact others eternally – that our trust in our God in the dark and painful is powerfully used by God.  We must dig into God’s Word and let it take root in our lives so that it can bear fruit in the hard times.

“For the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God,” Hebrews 12:2.  Our God has experienced the hurts and evil and has shown us that victory can be found in Him.