Kites only fly against the wind!

Aversity. Pain. Struggle.

Job is the epitome of a man who lost everything. All of his children. All of his riches. All of his wealth. All of his health. Gone in the blink of an eye!

Here is a man who lost it all. What did He say then?

Job did not curse God. He held on to his faith in God. He did not faint. He held on! Proverbs says:

We don’t like pain. God can use our pain. What Satan meant for our harm, God uses for our good.

The other day I heard someone on TV say — you know what they say “All things work together for good!” NOOOO! That is not what it says!

If you are not a Christian there is senseless suffering. There is pain without a point. As a Christian, God can use the pain we experience because we are living in a fallen world to improve us. To refine us. To make us better. We must hold on and keep the faith. For after we have held on. After we’ve kept the faith. After we’ve resisted to the point of shedding our own blood. Our Jesus and Savior will destroy pain and death itself!

Winston Churchill said:

“Kites rise highest against the wind, not with it.”

I think of the great things created in terrible circumstances. Paul wrote Ephesians, Phillipians and Collosians in prison. Joseph was faithful and interpreted dreams in prison. John Bunyan wrote many Christian works including his Prison meditations and Pilgrim’s progress. John wrote Revelations while in exile on Patmos. Many of David’s most beautiful Psalms were written while he was hiding from Saul.

It is when we are the midst of troubles that we can best serve as a witness for Jesus Christ. For, it is then that everyone gives us an excuse “You’re only human.” It is then when an unhuman response of love and peace witnesses to a lost and dying world that our Savior is real and not imaginary. For how else could martyrs rejoice in giving their lives for Jesus Christ?

The Indian, Seneca, said,

“The good things which belong to prosperity are to be wished, but the good things which belong to adversity are to be admired.”

There is a great wind arising against Christians in a tiny, backwards part of India. Today the BBC said in an article entitled Christian Fears over Hindu Festival.

Some NGOs and local journalists say the Hindu groups, who have so far neglected this backward region and its tribal population, are rattled by the growing clout of Christians in the area. The festival, they say, is an attempt to counter that.

Many of the publicizers of this event are calling on Hindus to “convert” the Christians back to Hinduism.

All the Hindus in the district have been asked to fly saffron flags on their houses, making it easier to identify the Christians.

Some Hindu groups have announced they will welcome the “grih-vapasi” (or the homecoming) of those who have converted to Christianity.

Who knows what these Christians will be forced to faith. I do know that it is often a choice between Christ and saving the lives of family members. What pain! Pray for these Christians. It is in the midst of trial that the greatest witness for Christ is made. Don’t abandon them when they need you!

I wrote a poem as I have pondered the difficulties of life.

My friend, keep the faith
Do not forget we’re but a wraith
upon this earth of grease and slime
soon to rise to heights sublime!

Do not forget life is a mist
brief pleasures we have held and kissed
will pale in comparison to glory bright
we’ll embrace on the other side of Night!
by Vicki Davis

Lord, as we hold close our friends and ourselves who suffer with the pains and cares of this world. As we face injustice and seem to lose. As we fight for right and feel overwhelmed. As we watch good people suffer let us not forget that it was Jesus Christ who suffered the greatest injustice the world has ever known. Wake us up to our selfishness and remind us of Your selflessness as you died, naked, and beaten like a piece of meat upon a criminal’s cross. With the splinters of sin consuming your own soul and fellowship with the Father. And yet you triumphed! You have won! The victory is ours! We cling to your word, our Savior. As we hurt and suffer we trust that you Will work all things for good for those who are called according to His purpose! We seek you first! Praise you, dear Jesus for going before us! In Jesus name we pray. Amen.