Life Is Tough! But God...

When doubts filled my mind,
    your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.

Psalm 94:19 

 

I love my job!  Not because it is glamorous; not because I get showered lots accolades; not because it brings lots of attention.  I love my job because it is what God has called me to do.  When issues or problems or hurts arise, God allows me to bring His comfort as best as I can. 

 

Now....I work with mostly Law Enforcement Officers.  These are tough individuals who are accustomed to being in control and in charge.  So when calamity strikes, and it does, they "suck it up and drive on."  Which works fine for them.....for a while.  Eventually, after months or even years of stuffing down their feelings...cracks begin to show.  Perhaps, they are more argumentative and don't understand why their squad, family, spouse don't like being around them.  Perhaps, they begin numbing their feelings with alcohol or other ingested methods.  Perhaps, they just quit altogether.  Perhaps they act out. Perhaps they have become so jaded that they hate everything and everyone.

 

Want to know something interesting?  What I described about Law Enforcement Officers applies to humanity as a whole.  We don't want people to think we are weak.  We don't want people to see that we are vulnerable.  We don't like NOT being in control. 

 

Fact:  We AREN'T in control!  God is the one in control.  So when doubts fill out minds, and they will, God will comfort us and renew our hope.  And guess what?  Usually through people who have endured something similar and has come through on the other side.

 

God comforts us in ways we don't expect and through people who truly do care.  Don't be afraid to be real and honest.  There will come a time when YOU will be able to be God's comforter for others.

 

As a matter of note:  I often counsel others to "Take care of yourself; because if you don't take care of yourself, you cannot take care of others."  I am going to be taking my own advice, as difficult as that is, and will be off the grid until Monday.