The scriptures offer us loads of encouragements and models through the steadfast faith of Job, the obedience of Abraham, and the recovery of Naomi, for example. Job had a "V" life: from affluence and all round comfort and down to the base, having not done anything wrong. Not involved in accident or something, yet everything collapsed in quick successions. But he got back up to complete the V. For all of Abraham's unprecedented obedience and attention to detail, he had to be the head of the home where Sarah waited for Isaac until her 90th year. Naomi left home for greener pastures in the full entourage but returned without the three men in her life, a situation striking enough that she changed her name to Marah. Oh, what shall we write concerning the mother of Jesus? She stood there at Calvary, and saw everything.

Those who read the Bible as though a fictional story book may never be able to appreciate the despair in the above real life experiences, among many others. But the truth is these things happened, at a time when there were no electronic Bibles, virtual fellowships and professional therapists. Today, with all the advancements in arts, economy, science and technology, millions of Naomi, Job, Abraham and Mary the mother of Jesus are around the world, many of them around us. Kindness, empathy and prayer cannot be overemphasized. We pray God's comfort to everyone who is going through crises situations in Jesus’ name. Amen.

At the peak of the pandemic, when schools, day care and other support facilities were shut, a woman became so overwhelmed with the care of her child who has special needs that she committed suicide. For another person, a milestone anniversary was followed swiftly by a chat with a specialist consultant physician - the joy of landmark achievements gave way at the realisation of a terminal diagnosis. Also, one of the most careful souls I know left home and returned via the mortuary, by no faults or carelessness of his.

Thousands of breadwinners lose their jobs annually, many of them not because they are slothful or not smart enough. As nations and organisations battle economic downturns, staffs are laid off. In the midst of saving or serving others, thousands of essential workers hurt themselves or die. You will recall the school shooting in the USA few months ago, the husband of that teacher died of heart attack within a few days. We should bear in mind that the impact of the above crises examples are not limited to the subjects in the situations.

Many aged parents, children, spouses are left vulnerable and in tatters, as well as close friends, social and professional networks they are affiliated to. With time and support, many of the primary and secondary victims of life crises bounce back - some more swiftly than the others. However, many don't recover at all, and we will be insensitive to tag them as weak or "slow to heal". Like I told a sister recently, from my personal experience, I can no longer reassure anyone that time (certainly) HEALS wounds. Please oblige me not to dig deep into that. Rather, time may heal wounds, depending on countless factors.

Whatever you have been through or going through and whatever may be going through you, I can assure though, that God's comfort is never in short supply and that the Holy Spirit - our Comforter is never tired of comforting. The question then is, will you let Him have access to those deeper areas of despair and hurts that you often guard jealously? Will you dare to trust Him with your heart and let Him heal you? You are not alone. As the Holy Spirit ministers these words to me, I began to assess and unlock my tucked away sorrows as well and praying Him to have His way. If we choose to, we can trade our sorrows and pains for His comfort and beauty. And that's what I choose today. What do you choose?

Selah!

© SELAH SERIES 2022