An Accepting Heart

Psalm 34:8 "Taste and see that the LORD is good;
blessed is the man who takes refuge in him."

Dear friends of ours have been going through a difficult time lately. He has a small hole in his heart that allows small clots to go through from time to time. Because of it he has experienced strokes on several occasions. They recently learned of a surgery that could correct the problem by putting a plug in the heart. It is still an experimental procedure. He had a 50/50 shot of being in the group for surgery or else he would just remain on blood thinner throughout the study.

Recently he has developed complications from being on the blood thinner, so we all had been hoping and praying that he would be in the surgery group. Yesterday after weeks of waiting for an answer they learned that he will not be having surgery, but instead will remain on medicine. We were disheartened with the news.

As I talked to my friend I could hear disappointment in her voice. It wasn't the answer they were hoping for. But yet, there also was acceptance in her voice as well. She knows that we serve a God that we can trust.

Both she and her husband are strong believers. They have served several times as missionaries around the world. Before this recent stroke, they had plans to serve in Kenya as short term missionaries in January through March. But God changed their plans. It is hard to understand why they are facing this situation, and why they can't go to Africa. But yet, we know that we serve a God that knows what is best for us - even when we don't understand the answers.

Sometimes we may feel betrayed, but yet we must cling to the truth that God is faithful. He isn't surprised by our situations and struggles. Even when we don't like the way things go and are disappointed by life from time to time, we can trust Him. We need to accept that He knows what is best for us.

ACTIVITY
Do you fight against the answers that God gives you or do you accept them? Work harder at being accepting of those things you face.

PRAYER
Dear Lord, help me to accept the things that I face each day. Help me to always know that I can trust you. Amen.