Intro...Pat Shumate story
Jerrod, 16, brain tumor, grief, part of family, doesn't want to lose him
Vacillates between faith and doubt, peace and anger
All of us have struggles
Death, finances, divorce, illness, relationships
Even children have them...rejection, fitting in
They are all important
Story of black butterflies...it was a problem to him
Part of the human condition is the pain of brokenness
How do we face it...How do we overcome?
Lessons from the story of Lazarus death
Jesus cared, God feels the pain of our grief and cares
Jesus loved...O how he loved him
this is not a sickness unto death, but that God would be glorified
Every situation is one in which God can be glorified
Jesus can help us through our problems
he didn't solve everyone's problems...Lazarus died again
i have been to some bad places
In the day of my sister in laws wedding I was called to the hospital to baptize a baby that was dying
I have seen some bad stuff
I have noticed in my journeys there...two ways we can handle our pain
- resist, struggle, hate, be bitter
we usually start here, but don't get stuck here
Romans 12
Natural human tendency is to bite back, angry, bitter, depressed
Do not return evil for evil, overcome evil with good
Do not inject anger into a situation - others come to find rest in the Lord
learn to understand his love, not just talk about it, but feel it come to believe that he is there
Jesus loves me this I know
Pray for those who need to know the love of God
