Thoughts About Waiting

One of the hardest things to do in life is wait. 

As that famous philosopher Tom Petty used to sing, “The waiting is the hardest part.”

We don’t like to wait. We want it now!

Some of the difficult times of waiting is when we have medical issues and the doctor is running tests to determine what the problem is. We get anxious and obviously assuming the worst case scenario. Not knowing tests our strength. We want to know!

Unfortunately many times we simply have to wait. Waiting can be minutes, hours, days or even years. I want waiting to be the shortest time possible.

I think you would agree that it is hard to be strong when we are waiting. I know that I am not good at it.

Sometimes things just take time. We don’t want to hear that. We want answers.

During the times of waiting, we need to develop the right mindset. We have to ground ourselves in the present. Developing the right mindset will help reduce frustration over the uncontrollable delays we encounter in our lives.

Waiting happens. That’s just the reality of life. We have to get better at waiting and develop habits to help us endure the times of waiting. Some rely on their faith - like I do - but it may be different things for others. Whatever it is, strengthen your mind to get you through it.

Being There

What do you say to someone who is hurting?

Most of us hate to see the people we care about in pain. We want badly to say or do something that will take the hurt away. Many times there is simply nothing we can say but we can just be there.

Sometimes all we can do is sit with them.

Being there.

I read the story of Job this week and we know that everything he had was taken from him. The interesting thing to notice is how long his friends sat with Job in silence.

While Job’s friends are criticized for their later poor treatment of his troubles, at first they simply sat with him. They sat with him for seven days and seven nights without saying a word to him, because they saw how much he was suffering.

This shows us that when someone we love is hurting, it’s our presence that often matters most. Their example reminds us that even though we may not always know what to say, simply sitting with someone in their suffering may be the best thing we can do for them.

Silence makes us uncomfortable, so we may try to fill that void with words thinking there is some magical thing we can say to give comfort. But in times of great suffering, words alone are often inadequate to express the comfort or help that the hurting person truly needs.

I have been guilty of feeling compelled to say something. I think I have learned that people don’t need our words - they just need us. They need our shoulder, a hug or bring them a meal.

It’s difficult when our loved one is hurting but just simply be there. No Bible verse, no Christian cliche or comparing situations. Be the anchor that helps them get through the storm in their life.

Holy Deception

I have a problem with the recent photo depicting a group of Christian leaders in a prayer meeting with Donald Trump. I honestly don’t know how to explain this.

What is the end game here?

Trump is throwing Evangelicals a bone to keep them on the hook. He needs their support to keep his base going. It is deception like we’ve never seen before.

Sadly I see two men in this photo who I once had on my playlist and I even attended one of their churches. It has been a betrayal that still stings me.

Among those present were Trump’s longtime spiritual adviser Pastor Paula White, who also leads the White House Faith Office. California megachurch pastor Greg Laurie was also seen in the room, alongside pastor Jentezen Franklin and evangelical leader Johnnie Moore.

Jesus warned us that the very elect would be deceived and it is happening right before our eyes. Nothing has destroyed the unity of Christians more than Donald Trump’s pandering.

There has been no effort in promoting unity only division.

When Trump returned to the White House I initially thought that he might be the Anti-Christ however the more time that has passed, I am more inclined to believe that he is preparing the way for the Anti-Christ to take the world’s stage. He is the forerunner much like John the Baptist was for Jesus.

The one major obstacle for the Anti-Christ had been the strength and unity of the United States. Our country had to be weakened from the inside for any outside leader such as the Anti-Christ (and later the Beast) to take their place as a world leader. The weakening is happening before our very eyes although some are deceived in thinking Trump is supporting Christianity when he is actually manipulating people and prophetic events which will ultimately be a betrayal.

I’m still puzzled and profoundly disappointed in the support Christians are giving Trump even with blatant evidence that he is not a Christian himself.

During the recent National Prayer Breakfast, Trump rambled, lied and cursed for 77 minutes. A prayer breakfast?? What is wrong with these prominent Christians? They would have revolted if a previous President had even worn the wrong colored suit to the same event.

Why are we condoning this? I can tell you for certain that I am not. This photo is blasphemy. It is a stench to the nostrils of God and our country will be punished for it.

It is fine to pray for our president but to lift him up as if he is our Moses is not okay. All Christians should turn to God to deliver us from evil and not glorify a politician who is seeking his own agenda.

In the end Trump will be the destruction of Christianity in America. It is already taking place and we all need to cry out to God to save us.