November   2019  As I reread this journal entry I was reminded of a scene from the movie Anne of Green Gables. Anne is an orphaned girl who is all about drama!!!  Marilla, her perspective new guardian is very no-nonsense and strait laced.  In this scene, Anne is going on about being in the ‘depths of despair’.  She asks Marilla “Can’t you imagine being in the depths of despair?”   Marilla firmly says, “No. I can not. To despair is to turn one’s back on God.”   It sounds rather harsh but Psalm 27 implies the same idea.

From the journal . . . . May 2014

Lord, in my devotional this morning the author said something like, “when we sympathize too much in our concern for others it is a rebuke to God’.” I’m not so sure about that.  I feel so sorry for the people living in Iran now. They had a horrible mudslide that killed like 2,100 people.  It brings tears to my eyes in sympathy and I pray that You would comfort the survivors and use it all for Your purposes.  Life is hard but beautiful at the same time.  I don’t think our sympathy is a rebuke to You.  You are a loving God and I totally believe in Your plans. 

Ps.27:13  says “I would have despaired if I hadn’t believed I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.”

And I Believe God Said:

Your sympathy for others is not without hope.* Remember when your friend Jack said he was mad at me when you got cancer? That was passion for you, his friend, and you were comforted by his loving response.  He knew that my ways are best but he didn’t understand or like it.  *Remember that the sympathy you feel is from me and my spirit in you.  Despair is not from me.  It creeps in and threatens but you must master it by turning to me.  Everyone has that opportunity. No one wants the heart as much as I do but they must choose.  You don’t know what that means for each individual but I do and I can communicate with everyone. 

1Thess 4:13 . Rom 12:15 Gal5:22-23

Oh Jesus.  I so feel Your goodness.  Here in the land of the living.  I know it’s true and the Best is still yet to come.  Wow Lord.  Thank You. Thank You Holy Spirit.