11 days and counting...

At my last Haiti prep meeting- we watched a powerful message from one of the founders of Healing Haiti, the late Alyn Shannon, who talked about and delivered a message titled “What is God Trying to Teach Me”.  In this message Alyn reminded us that in each situation, God is trying to teach us something, and though the situation may not be hopeful, there is still something God is trying to teach us.

So with that…my message today is about “What is God Trying to Teach Me”.   July has been a month full of emotion, of losses, of challenges, anxiety and anger.  I have experienced more sadness in this month hearing of losses of young lives, of marriages that are struggling, children who are hurting, lives that are being challenged with medical obstacles, and of friends who have been betrayed- it’s been a tough month.  So what is God trying to teach me?  I am taking all these struggles, all the sadness, anxiety and anger and asking today- What is God trying to teach me?

As I reflect back on the month- here are the things that God has been teaching and reminding me of:

1.     Be thankful and trust in the Lord

2.     Earth is not the final destination, there is eternal life

3.     That our journey has already been planned

4.     That faith sometimes hurts

5.     That true friends always outshine the shallow ones

6.     That strength comes from the deep pit in your stomach

7.     That even in the sadness, hope can be found

8.     That the Bible can deliver so many answers

9.     That true friendships are the BEST kind

10.  That the beauty of the cross always provides comfort and strength

So even in this emotionally tough month, I believe God has taught and reminded me that faith in the Lord will comfort and bring me more joy than I could imagine.  I will have to take this lesson and remind myself as I enter a land filled with devastation, poverty, illness and distress that there too, God will be teaching me many more lessons.  I will continue to open my heart and prepare my soul for the journey and lessons that I am about to embark on- I can’t wait- 11 more days!

Today’s closing verse:  Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

To Him be the Glory~ Phuong