Emtional Soup
Kristin Rae sorts through the myriad of emotions to find the truth in the midst of confusion.
Updated Sep 20, 2001
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:3)
Before I began writing this letter, I didn’t have the faintest idea what I would say or how I would say it. But as I sit before my computer with my Bible before me, everything is coming together.
I write this to you while experiencing a mixture of emotions. I’m saddened by the unnecessary and incredible loss of life, and the demonstration of evil by humans hoping to falter or subdue the strength of our great nation, the United States of America. On the other hand, I am filled with a peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7), knowing that whatever befalls our country, God still reigns in the physical and spiritual worlds.
In this time of confusion and pain, I want to encourage you to first of all pray. This past week I have been extremely overwhelmed, and sometimes I have felt that my mind can’t focus enough to pray! I think that God understands our feelings of bewilderment, and it’s okay to just sit before the Lord in silence. King David, whom also went through times of unbearable pain and suffering, quotes in Psalm 46:10, "Be still, and know that I am God." At these times, the Holy Spirit will intercede for us. As Paul says in Romans 8:26, "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us."
In witnessing the death of thousands, our human nature tends to respond in hate and anger. But hate is what got us in this predicament in the first place. Hate is the destructive tool that led the terrorists to commit this crime. Remember, brothers and sisters, that hate only leads to evil. I pray that you will find inspiration, and perhaps comfort, in these words from Psalm chapter 37:
"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret – it leads only to evil. For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land. A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found.
But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace."
Let’s leave our feelings of revenge and hatred at the feet of God, who will deal with everyone in His timing. Remember that in the end, we as Christians will enjoy great peace under God’s reign, and the wicked will not be found!
I have found peace in the knowledge that this troubled world is not my final home. How many times I have heard from pastors, friends, and the Scriptures, that we, as heirs of heaven, are aliens to this world. But it wasn’t until last week that I fully understood. A friend of mine once quoted: "We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience." Remember to put our focus on that which is Truth – that
the purpose of our human bodies is to house our soul as we tread this earth! We don’t belong in this world of pain … and someday, it will be but a memory.
This is also a time to evaluate our commitments and focus. Where do you put your effort … is it in your appearance? In your education and unending load of schoolwork? In your family? In your friends? Maybe politics, or sports, or your occupation. Those these are all great things, they shouldn’t be our primary focus. We should be studying the Scriptures – they are the only Words and knowledge that have lasting value! We should be spending time in prayer, conversing with God and listening for His voice! We should be evangelizing every chance we get – this will affect the fate of souls around
the world! All these things will build our relationship with Jesus Christ, Who is the ultimate and only reality.
This is also a time to evaluate our walk with Christ. Maybe you have never given your life to Jesus, or made the decision to follow Him. My friends, I hope that you will seek the Lord with your whole heart and search for His face … His arms and heart are wide open and waiting. All He wants is to love you, and for you to accept His love. For Jesus is the One "… who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age." (Galations 1:4) He is the only spiritual reality that can bring you peace and comfort at this time.
I encourage you to talk to a pastor, a Christian friend, or contact me at WriterGirl4Jesus@aol.com for more information on this vital step in your life.
This letter is written from my heart, brothers and sisters, and I pray that God will speak to you through these words. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13:14)
Love in Christ,
Kristin Rae
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:3)
Before I began writing this letter, I didn’t have the faintest idea what I would say or how I would say it. But as I sit before my computer with my Bible before me, everything is coming together.
I write this to you while experiencing a mixture of emotions. I’m saddened by the unnecessary and incredible loss of life, and the demonstration of evil by humans hoping to falter or subdue the strength of our great nation, the United States of America. On the other hand, I am filled with a peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7), knowing that whatever befalls our country, God still reigns in the physical and spiritual worlds.
In this time of confusion and pain, I want to encourage you to first of all pray. This past week I have been extremely overwhelmed, and sometimes I have felt that my mind can’t focus enough to pray! I think that God understands our feelings of bewilderment, and it’s okay to just sit before the Lord in silence. King David, whom also went through times of unbearable pain and suffering, quotes in Psalm 46:10, "Be still, and know that I am God." At these times, the Holy Spirit will intercede for us. As Paul says in Romans 8:26, "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us."
In witnessing the death of thousands, our human nature tends to respond in hate and anger. But hate is what got us in this predicament in the first place. Hate is the destructive tool that led the terrorists to commit this crime. Remember, brothers and sisters, that hate only leads to evil. I pray that you will find inspiration, and perhaps comfort, in these words from Psalm chapter 37:
"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret – it leads only to evil. For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land. A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found.
But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace."
Let’s leave our feelings of revenge and hatred at the feet of God, who will deal with everyone in His timing. Remember that in the end, we as Christians will enjoy great peace under God’s reign, and the wicked will not be found!
I have found peace in the knowledge that this troubled world is not my final home. How many times I have heard from pastors, friends, and the Scriptures, that we, as heirs of heaven, are aliens to this world. But it wasn’t until last week that I fully understood. A friend of mine once quoted: "We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience." Remember to put our focus on that which is Truth – that
the purpose of our human bodies is to house our soul as we tread this earth! We don’t belong in this world of pain … and someday, it will be but a memory.
This is also a time to evaluate our commitments and focus. Where do you put your effort … is it in your appearance? In your education and unending load of schoolwork? In your family? In your friends? Maybe politics, or sports, or your occupation. Those these are all great things, they shouldn’t be our primary focus. We should be studying the Scriptures – they are the only Words and knowledge that have lasting value! We should be spending time in prayer, conversing with God and listening for His voice! We should be evangelizing every chance we get – this will affect the fate of souls around
the world! All these things will build our relationship with Jesus Christ, Who is the ultimate and only reality.
This is also a time to evaluate our walk with Christ. Maybe you have never given your life to Jesus, or made the decision to follow Him. My friends, I hope that you will seek the Lord with your whole heart and search for His face … His arms and heart are wide open and waiting. All He wants is to love you, and for you to accept His love. For Jesus is the One "… who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age." (Galations 1:4) He is the only spiritual reality that can bring you peace and comfort at this time.
I encourage you to talk to a pastor, a Christian friend, or contact me at WriterGirl4Jesus@aol.com for more information on this vital step in your life.
This letter is written from my heart, brothers and sisters, and I pray that God will speak to you through these words. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13:14)
Love in Christ,
Kristin Rae
Originally published September 20, 2001.
