Monday, April 8, 2013

Let's Offer Christ's Love to Someone Today

Somehow in the midst of our brokenness, we find an ounce of strength to cry out. We cry out for help, hope, a hand.

Yet in that desperate cry, we often find the place we look to the most, is coming up short. We find that our desperation has become greater than we ever imagined. The feeling of failure, fear, hopelessness, is exactly what Satan uses to rob us of the joy and love God wants to shower us with.

It grips us with so much force we can't move an inch. And it is at that point, when we feel as though we are suffocating, we decide to take matters into our own hands. We tell ourselves, it's the only way out.

Suicide.

 It effects more people than any of us realize. Maybe your family has experienced it. Maybe you know of friends that have done it. Regardless of who it is, we all are aware of it.

Brethren, this is my fear in the Church. It is my fear that one of these, has found that ounce of strength and made their way into our Churches, to come up short. To have not found that hand, that hope, that love, they are longing for.

Oh merciful Lord open our eyes and give us discernment to see them, to reach out to them.

Maybe it's the complete opposite. Maybe it's a similar story to the one Rick Warren and his family are going through.

Maybe it was all there, all given, at all times. But the mental illness of it was greater, deeper, than anyone knew.

Comfort this family Father. Use this for Your glory. Give them the privacy they deserve and need to grieve.  Satan is attacking, Father. He is using those twisted and lost to utter ugliness about this family. And for that we rebuke Satan and command him in the Name of Jesus to get behind You. There, he has no power.

As a Body of Christ we need to reach out to those struggling with depression, brokenness, hurt, suffering and pain. We need to be the arms and feet of Jesus. Let's reach out our hands to them and pull them in. Let's cover them with the Word of God. Let's pray for them and with them. Let's remain consistent in our prayers and encouragement.

Let's allow our transparency to show. Let's lay any judgmental attitudes at the foot of the Cross, and pick up love and mercy.

Let's stop making others feel as though their problems are to much to handle. Let's not forget that we are to help carry the burden's of others.

We have a purpose, a purpose to love as Christ loves. Let's offer that to someone today.

Rick Warren is the Author of "The Purpose Driven Life." and his family desperately needs our prayers, as they mourn the loss of their son.

Would you pray for them today?