Recently, we had a big event at our church. It wasn’t a big event in terms of people, but it called for a lot of planning, coordination, and decision-making on the fly. The event had many moving parts that had to be handled.
At the time the last minute decisions and preparation had to be made the main pastor in charge had an emergency. That was where I came in. I listened patiently as the ministry assistant and a volunteer recounted the problem. At that point the ministry assistant looked at me and in a calm voice and demeanor said: “We’ll be okay.”
Those are three hope-filled words.
Over the years I have seen the power of hope and confidence in all kinds of situations. Families need the assurance that “we’ll be okay.” Whenever a grandparent dies, I counsel the parents to tell their children that “we are all hurting but we’ll be okay.” Children need parents who will take responsibility and be the parents. Unfortunately, some parents expect their children to comfort them. This is not God’s order in the world. Parents must take the responsibility that God has given them.
By assuring the children that the death or job loss or emergency is hard but “we’ll be okay” gives the children a sense of hope and confidence that will bless them for all of their lives.
Churches and organizations need to be assured by a competent leader that we can handle this and “we’ll be okay.” People need–even crave–leadership. The pastor who can be calm in the storm and reassure the church will bless the church for years to come.
People all around you need leadership. Look to God for guidance and direction and let them know “we’ll be okay.”
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Jesus used these beautiful words to describe life in the Kingdom:
“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. ”
When my son, Bradley, died in December of 2011, I felt the reality of His words. I can truly say, from personal experience, that in Christ, “we’ll be OK.” In Jesus we have a Foundation underneath any conceivable catastrophe–a Foundation that cannot be shaken.
Thanks again Waylon for your tireless service to our Lord and His Kingdom.
Mark, unspeakable heartache is lived with, but your pain is unknown to me. These verses which speak to the wise and foolish builders are a keepsake for me too. You will be remembered in prayer. Thank you for your sobering reminder that we can always go forward in the hope of God and His promises. Diane.
Mark,
I want you to know you have blessed me today. I can’t imagine your loss and my 10 year old son sits next to me as I write. Your faith is a powerful reminder that we can walk through anything with God knowing we are His. Thank you for your testimony today.
I went through a hard time having had 5 miscarriages. I believed It was God’s will for me not to have children. It took a very long time, but I was finally able to say “it is well with my soul”. Shortly after I thought I had a bladder infection and it was my precious daughter. I work hard to live with the It is well with my soul heart. Some days I fail miserably.
Thanks for the reminder, Pastor, that we will be okay. 🙂
Blessings!
Thanks to all of you for the encouragement of God’s faithfulness. We certainly learn from the hurts and struggles of others. Their faithfulness in the midst of pain encourages us to continue on.
Thanks for your kind words Lori, and for your faith in our Lord. May He continue to bless us all as we go through the tribulations that He told us we would have in this world. And may we keep “cheerful” hearts, knowing that, in Him, we overcome them all.
I could hear inside, those words being spoken. Purpose and perspective of sharing, to be One in Him.
Thank you!
Blessings
Waylon, my grandson’s ITP is improving but this very morning I was reminded that his home life in joint custody and his school achievement are not well. How I needed to be reassured with “we’ll be okay.” Thanks so much. Marge
God is good and faithful.