November 11, 2009
How to Rebuild Your Broken World
The phone call came in the middle of the afternoon. I was on a flight a few hours later, wondering what could have gone so wrong, so quickly. I arrived in Durham, North Carolina, and went straight to the hospital. All the doors were locked, and it was nearly 11 pm before I walked into the room where my mother lay, affixed to tubes and monitors of every fashion. As I saw her swollen body, I honestly wondered if I would have recognized her, had her name not been on the door.
For nine agonizing days, we watched her body put up a fight. The hours blurred together as we talked with doctors, paced in waiting rooms, and agonized over what medical steps God would have us take.
My mom had checked into Duke Medical Center with an overnight bag to get a second opinion on a very rare blood disease. She never left. It was one of the most difficult, painful times I’ve ever experienced.
Grief is our emotional response to losing something that’s important to us. We feel pain when something that matters is gone. Over the years, I’ve lost things, lost dreams, lost jobs, lost people, and lost hope. In the midst of these times, even as I was losing my own mother, God’s Word has reminded me that I will never lose Him.
I’ve found great comfort in these passages over the years and wanted to share them with you:
- Psalm 23:1-6
- John 14:1-3
- John 16:33
- Psalm 116:13
- 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
If you’re finding yourself in the middle of pain, hurt and grief, I encourage you to pour out your heart to the One who holds the Universe in His palm and pray something like this:
“Father, help me know that You understand my pain. Help me to remember, right now, that You lost Your Son, and You know the pain of separation. God, please wrap Your arms around me and hold me in ways that only You can. Oh God, I hurt so deeply. Please be with me and manifest Your presence in ways like I’ve never known.”
If you would like some next step on how to rebuild your broken world, we’ve launched a new series on the radio today, “How to Rebuild Your Broken World.” You can listen free online or tune in to your local radio station.
Keep Pressin’ Ahead,
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Mary on November 11th, 2009
Greetings Chip
How this so ministered to me right now. I too had my mom pass away into Heaven and I am grieving. It was fast and shocking. I thought the Lord would heal her but He did eternally.
This so ministered to me and I would like to share it with others during this Thanksgiving season with dear ones whom are with broken families & hearts and also grieving as I am.
I had been crying out to the Lord who is always there for me and He alone understands me completely. No one understands like Jesus no one. My heart is broken and yet I am called to move forward in Christ. its challenging especially the first holidays and birthday without her here. I loved hear dearly and I grieve missing her even though I know for certain where she is.
Thank you Chip for always sharing from your heart! your faithfulness and transparency is a blessing and a ministry It encourages me for what the Lord is doing in my life as I minister to others and lead.
To His glory and Praise! He is faithful. This he used to answer my prayers: encouragement!! so important in times of grief so important.
God bless you and all those who are in your ministry for their love of Christ and faithfulness. May the Lord keep you close always for His Glory and Praise. Thank you again for sharing your moms trial and yours.
in Christ strong arms, Mary