"The Other Side of Misery"

One of my favorite authors of all time is George MacDonald (1824-1905).  A description I found of him says, "...a poet, a storyteller and a preacher--a lover of God and humanity and nature.  He was loved and valued by such writers as C.S. Lewis and G.K. Chesterton."



In light of the events here in Colorado Springs over the last ten days, I found the following excerpt from one of his novels, Guild Court, comforting as I once again reflect on the fact that nothing comes into my life except by his plan and purpose. .  I hope you will too.

"The Other Side of Misery"

"It seems to me, also, that in thinking of the miseries and wretchedness in the world we too seldom think of the other side.  We hear of an event in association with some certain individual, and we say -- 'How dreadful! How miserable!' and perhaps we say -- 'Is there --can there be a God in the earth when such a thing can take place?' But we do not see into the region of actual suffering or conflict.  We do not see the heart where the shock falls.  We neither see the proud bracing of energies to meet the ruin that threatens, nor the gracious faint in which the weak escape from writhing.  We do not see the abatement of pain which is paradise to the tortured; we do not see the gentle upholding in sorrow that comes even from the ministrations of nature --not to speak of human nature -- to delicate souls.  In a word, we do not see, the and sufferer himself does not understand, how God is present every moment, comforting, upholding, heeding that the pain shall not be more than can be borne, making the thing possible and not hideous."

Psalm 13:5  

But I have trusted in your steadfast love;

my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.

Psalm 25:10  

All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,

for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.

Psalm 26:3  

For your steadfast love is before my eyes,

and I walk in your faithfulness.

Psalm 31:7 

I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love,

because you have seen my affliction;

you have known the distress of my soul,

Psalm 31:21  

Blessed be the Lord,

for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me

when I was in a besieged city.

Psalm 33:22  

Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us,

even as we hope in you.

Psalm 36:5  

Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens,

your faithfulness to the clouds.

Psalm 36:7  

How precious is your steadfast love, O God!

The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

I hope you have enjoyed these pictures taken at the Botanical Garden in Denver.  

The beauty of God's creation along with promises of His STEADFAST LOVE

 never cease to give me peace as they calm a weary child.

  

Be encouraged and strengthened in His love and grace which he lavishes on us so abundantly.