Affliction and Consolation

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, 4who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God. ~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Today is a day of remembrance of the lives lost during the 9/11 attack by terrorists in New York City, Washington D.C. and in a field in Pennsylvania.  Those of us alive at that fateful time of 8:26 A.M. eastern time fully remember where we were and what we were doing when that first plane hit one of the twin towers in New York City, followed by the second plane, the third into the Pentagon and the fourth into a field (thanks to some heroes that took it upon themselves to save countless lives by sacrificing themselves to take the hijacker down before doing further damage to other highly populated or important areas on the ground.  That evening, many churches were filled with mourners asking, "Why?" and searching to be consoled as the world as we knew it was no more.

Christ was there for those that lost their lives, as well as those mourning their loss.  He suffered along with us at the senseless loss of life.  Christ was, and still is, there to console those mourning the loss of friends, colleagues and family that were lost to us here on earth that day.  Knowing that Christ not only shares in our sorrows and afflictions and consoles us allows us to have hope in Him that is unshaken, even in the face of some of the worst tragedies that can possibly assail us.

Christ continues to be there for you, now and in the future, to share anything that may come your way to try to shake your faith in Him. He will never leave or forsake you, so trust Him in all things to bring you safely through the dark times to brighter days ahead. Are you willing to hold fast to Him, no matter what may come your way?  

Prayer

Dear Jesus,

We thank You that You are always with us - sharing in our darkest hours as well as consoling us and carrying us to brighter days ahead.  Help us to continue to hold tightly to our hope that is in You.  Amen.

~ Wendy Miller