Once again we find ourselves grieving for families, friends, and community of victims gunned down in another school shooting. Why does this madness continue? What makes a person choose to kill children?
And then there’s the war that drags on in Ukraine, causing death, devastation, and hardship. Why do we humans resort to such horror?
Across our nation, crime, homelessness, and drug addiction plague many of our cities. How has such deterioration been allowed to escalate and why haven’t proven solutions been implemented that help correct these plights?
Also producing distress and fear are the continual reports of terrorism, riots, fraud, lawlessness, disasters, and other disturbing events.
In addition, some of you are dealing with your own overwhelming problems caused by other people and not your fault.
When God chooses not to immediately intervene, what’s a person to do? An unidentified psalmist gave us the answer.But before we consider his plan-of-action, note how current his observations sound as he described evildoers. They:
- Seem to be triumphing
- Boast a great deal
- Crush God’s people
- Band together against the righteous
- Bring misery to others with their decrees
- Condemn the innocent to death [1]
Then just before slipping into depression, this poet wrote:
He would want us to know: God provides joy-filled comfort—not just reassuring consolation. The psalmist surely had in mind solace, help, support, cheer, and restoration of a sense of well-being—all facets of comfort.
Our part is to avail ourselves. How? By walking through the G. A. T. E:
1. G = Glory in biblical truth.
Find refuge in God and His infallible Word.
Read until His peace mounts a guard
around your mind and heart and soul.
Kay Arthur [2]
Among the many comforting truths found in scripture, here are a few of my favorites:
- 1 Chronicles 29:11-13—God is great and all-powerful, the ruler of all things.
- Psalm 23:4—Our caring Shepherd never leaves us to fend for ourselves.
- Psalm 46:1—He provides refuge, strength, and help.
- Isaiah 25:1—We can count on His faithfulness because he’s been completely faithful in the past.
- Romans 11:33-36—He is continually directing, sustaining, and upholding all things in his perfect wisdom–even in the face of tragedy.
2. A = Affirm God’s promises.
As you glory in biblical truth, keep alert for the promises. Ask yourself, “Has God already done this in my life?” Take comfort in the evidence of promises already fulfilled. For example, when has he:
- Brought good out of difficult circumstances?
- Guided you in the way you should go?
- Delivered you out of trouble—physically, emotionally, and/or spiritually?
- Granted peace in the midst of turmoil?
- Provided beyond your expectations? [3]
And as you affirm the evidence of the past, be expectant for the future. What God promises, he will do [4].
3. T = Take joy in who God is.
He is a way-making, promise-keeping,
battle-winning, water-walking, storm-stilling,
Faithful Friend and Savior.
Kaitlyn Bouchillion [5]
Isn’t that delightful description? Let’s use it as a model for creating more uplifting characterization. I’ll get us started with:
He is a sin-forgiving, death-defying, hand-holding, strength-infusing, gift-giving Gracious Father.
Do you feel your heart filling with the comfort of gratitude, praise, and joy? Me too.
4. E = Enter into his presence with prayer.
Prayer crowns God with the honor and glory due His name,
and God crowns prayer with assurance and comfort.
The most praying souls are the most assured souls.
Thomas Brooks
Take comfort in knowing that:
- God is not only here, he is near.
- As we call out to him, he’s already answering.
- God’s presence quiets the soul, calms the mind, and warms the heart [6].
Decades ago, researchers recorded the heartbeats of mothers and played the tapes in a hospital nursery. They discovered that the infants cried less, slept better, and even gained weight at a better rate.
Those recordings evidently brought comfort, allowing the babies to rest and even thrive.
As we walk through the G.A.T.E. God has provided, and Glory in biblical truth, Affirm his promises, Take joy in who he is, and Enter his presence with prayer, we will hear the comforting heartbeat of God’s love, even through the darkest night.
[1] Psalm 94:2, 4, 5, 20-21.
[2] His Imprint, My Expression, 289.
[3] Genesis 50:20; Psalm 32:8; 34:18; Isaiah 26:3; Ephesians 3:20.
[4] Numbers 23:19.
[5] Take Heart, edited by Grace P. Cho and Anna E. Rendell, 210.
[6] Psalm 145:18; Isaiah 65:24; Psalm 91:1-2.
Photo credits: http://www.flickr.com; http://www.commons.wikipedia.org; http://www.heartlight.org; http://www.dailyverses.net; http://www.flickr.com; http://www.heartlight.org; http://www.commons.wikimedia.org (Bonnie Gruenberg).
Thanks for sharing this. I love the GATE. I needed this reminder of God’s provision.
I do too, Barb! God is so gracious and generous to supply our every need, including comfort when we’re anxious or hurting. So glad you found the GATE helpful!
Oh, how we need God in these sorrowful times, Nancy. His presence never fails to comfort and heal, and His promises ring true through all generations. So many broken hearts that only the Lord can mend.
Blessings!
AMEN to your observations, Martha. With you I pray for the broken hearts that only the Lord can mend. “He is the God of ALL comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3, emphasis added)!
What a beautiful post, especially during this troubling time ☹️💔 Yes, let’s look to God always!
Thank you, Yari. I praise God for his inspiration and guidance as I write each post. With you I want to look to God first and always!
Listen to the heartbeat of God. What a wonderful comfort!
Praise God for the way he can minister love, peace, encouragement, and more when circumstances overwhelm!
I don’t watch the news much if at all but my son who lives with us and cares for his mom and I fills us in once in a while. I broke down and literally cried to the Lord this morning when I heard some of the latest. I KNOW the Lord’s comfort, but sometimes the grief just flows. However, Sister Nancy, I truly appreciated your words today. They were heaven-sent. Thank you.
Praise God these words (inspired by him) ministered to you, Roland. Praise God he is with us in our grieving. One day he will wipe away our last tears as all sorrow is banished forever!
Thank you for the beautiful reminders!
You are most welcome, Debbie. Praise God for any beauty you experience here!
Praise God for this post. I am currently is a very, very sad state of mind and joy has been completely lost on me lately. Reading this has lifted my spirits as I reflect upon your words stating “He is a sin-forgiving, death-defying, hand-holding, strength-infusing, gift-giving Gracious Father.” He knows that I need constant encouragement and when I saw ‘hand-holding’ mentioned I felt renewed. (He has repeated the ‘hand-holding’ promise to me at least eight times from different sources in the past few days as I battle through my anxieties.) I would love for you to pray for me. I KNOW in my heart and mind that He does not want me to feel so negative and worrisome. Thank you for your steadfast friendship how God uses our blog to work in my heart.
Oh, Cheri. I’m so sorry that sadness has overcome you, obliterating all signs of joy. Praise God this post lifted your spirit! You’re not the only one who needs constant encouragement! I do too. How wonderful that God loves to provide it. “His mercies begin afresh each morning” (Lamentations 3:23 NLT). Hallelujah! / Father, I thank you for the way you repeat Spirit-inspired thoughts and snippets of scripture for Cheri, like your ‘hand-holding’ promise, giving her reassurance of your presence, strength, and help. May such personal missives from you drown out the worries as she seeks to practice your presence. In the powerful name of Jesus I pray, AMEN!
Lots of wisdom here and guidance to get through sad and difficult times. Thanks Nancy
Thank you, Jean. I pray the G.A.T.E. acronym helps us all–me included (!)–to experience the comfort God longs to supply.
Well said Nancy. I love the “GATE”. It’s true. God invites us relationally into his infinite realm of living(with perks like love, joy, peace…) while we exist physically in this finite sin warped world which wages war on the cure God has provided.
Thank you, Gary. Yes, I’ve often thought that the great saints through the ages learned to lived on a different plane than most of us, in that infinite realm you mention. To care less about “physical” things and being passionate about those things pertaining to the spiritual–THAT’s the way to the abundant life (of love, joy, peace, and more) that Jesus promised.
Such a wonderful and reassuring post! You always tie everything together so beautifully. Yes! God is always near to us and goes before us in all that we do.
I’m so glad you found reassurance here, Linda. And thank you for your gracious encouragement!
Nancy, this testament breathes with mark of the Spirit. It continues to focus our lens of faith upon the grace and love of a caring Father who allows the Resurrection to live through His Son.
Praise God for his grace and love who allows the Resurrection to live through His Son and impact us–for eternity!
Hi Nancy,
This is the only answer that makes any sense is a senseless world.
Thank you, Gary
Amen to that, Gary!
Happy Easter.
Thank you, Gary–the same to you! He is risen!
God’s heartbeat of love is the only that help us deal with such an evil and insane world. Because as you say, Nancy, God provides joy-filled comfort—not just reassuring consolation. Only his joy-filled comfort and hope will bring us through!.Thanks for a needed dose of encouragement!
You’re welcome, Sheila. Praise God for his inspiration behind this encouragement!
What brings me peace at times like this is continuing to live the life God expects of me (or at least making my best effort), and setting an example in the process. It works in opposition to all evil big or little, and generates the peace which guards my soul. “Read until his peace mounts a guard…” – I love that take on the Bible.
To live as God desires certainly keeps our consciences clear, a definite facet of our peace. Thank you for adding this insight, Dave!
The burdens of this world and of my own personal life are too much for me to bear. And I don’t have to bear them! As you have so perfectly penned, Nancy, the answers and the peace are always with God. I love the G.A.T.E. application! Lately, I have felt such peace about issues that I could easily let torment me. I can only say it the peace of God that passes understanding, and is accomplished through prayer – often the prayers of others for me, I realize. What a faithful God we serve! Thank you again for a very uplifting post.
I too have experienced the peace that transcends understanding during trying times. It’s a glorious gift God bestows! And you’re right–we have our praying family and friends to thank, when we find it difficult to pray for ourselves. Indeed, what a faithful God we serve! Thank you, Patty, for adding your insights.