Everything Stands Still

You put the phone down.  Try to register what you just heard.  It didn't sound good.... Health concerns are never good.  And so now you're standing alone on the kitchen floor. And it truly feels as if everything stands still.  

Today's to do list is on hold.  
The plans for the weekend are no longer as important.  
It's like a halt has been put on your life.  And nothing else matters as much as the bad news you just received.  On the other hand, there is something that is not remaining still, and that is your mind.  The pacing of your thoughts going back and forth.  "How did this happen?"  "Why didn't I see it?"  "Why?"  and "What does this mean?"  Your questions are followed by clear statements.  "This will bring pain."  "It will be hard."  "I'm scared."  Uncertainty creeps in and fear begins to make itself comfortable inside.

On their own, bad news or painful circumstances limit us.  Keep us from enjoying life.  For what is there to enjoy, when your days are now a number?  Or what is there to appreciate when your family is falling apart?  Could there possibly be any good in the bad?  Good is good and bad is bad, right?  

Well, according to the maker of the universe, good is good and bad can be good too.  I know it sounds crazy, but I can actually attest to it.  I guess it depends on what you consider to be good, though.  You see some people take things at face value, and fail to look deeper into the eternal value of things.  So they take the bad for what it is on the exterior.  Simply bad.  However, if we learn to take the bad and search for what good could possibly come from it, we'd be able to enjoy and appreciate everything we face in life.  Good or bad.  

There was a time in my life when I was so grieved and in turmoil that to say I was angry with the world, is an understatement.  So much so that on a drive home one night, I literally almost drove someone off the road.  Soon after that incident, I got a hold of my emotions, and basically crumbled before God.  I began to surrender my emotions to Him, and He lead me to His word.  Consequently, His word began to shed light on my circumstance, and I began to learn and grow from the experience.  It was one of the few times that I can say I was longing and yearning for God the most in my life.  I just couldn't get enough of the words that brought me life again.  His word.

And so this scripture reference comes to mind, "It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees." (Psalm 119:71 NIV)  It's perfect!  There is good in the bad.  We just need to look for it.  Though it may only truly be found in God.  And though the turmoil may not cease promptly.  And the pain may last for a season... God brings good from it.  He changes us for the better.  He heals our suffering with grace.  He shows His mercies each new morning.  He cares for our distress.  He draws us closer to Him.  And He enables us to stand still in His peace.