“I will lift up my eyes unto the hills where help is. My help comes from the Lord.” (Psalm 121:1 author’s paraphrase)
What do we do when we have suffered disaster and trouble? Most people cannot escape the inevitable, “What am I gonna do? Or What are we gonna do now?” Then comes the realization, “We can’t stay here. We gotta do something to get on with life.”
I am confident that my readers want to get on with their lives though it may take some time after such life-changing events. The following thoughts will help to get us started in the right direction.
First, we look in the right direction. We look for help. And it isn’t only physical help we need. There are plenty of caring people around who will help us with physical needs. Maybe more importantly, we need emotional and psychological and spiritual support. Hence, we look to the hills of God. We know in the core of our being that He alone can help us. Our help comes from the Lord.
Of course, we need all the essentials to sustain life in the here and now. We must not be so spiritual that we become no earthly good to anyone. We must attend to our shelter, food, and clothing needs, while we are being restored psychologically, spiritually and emotionally.
In the hodge-podge of emotional upheaval, our grief comes out in natural ways. We will probably experience fear, worries, despondency and despair, resentment, many questions, and a feeling of helplessness. These are natural aspects of the grief process. Know that God understands your mourning and will send comfort (Matthew 5:4).
Don‘t isolate yourself. Let friends and family and relief workers help you. From his hills, God has sent them to help you. Every individual needs the encouragement and support of other people. No one is an island unto himself.
Refuse to be bitter about your circumstances. You can choose to be a victim or the victor. The victim succumbs to despair, despondency and depression. The victims gives up in hopelessness. On the other hand, the victor chooses to trust God. The victor chooses gratitude for what is left and not grumbling over what is lost. When you choose to be a victim, you lock your life into a mode of bitterness and defeat. When you choose to be a victor, you lock your life into a mode of solutions and gratitude.
Know where your joy resides. Joy is also in the hills of God. It is where your help resides. Both joy and help is based on whom you trust. Neither come from what you can see nor feel. We are thinking in terms of life and not death. We are thinking in terms of real, deep-down restoration of the person you are today. Yes, the trouble or disaster has changed the core of who you are and you must get on with the business of being this new person God has brought forth.
Let the hills of God guide you. His joy and help is available at a moment’s notice. He never sleeps. He knows your goings and comings. And He will never allow your foundation to be destroyed. He has preserved you for a purpose now and forevermore.
Dear Father, thank you for your help and joy. Cover us with your grace as we recover from all our troubles. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be courageous today you are recovering,