EXTRACTS

The essence of moods, the whiffs of ambience. Those little encounters that are extracts of something more touching to life than mere survival.

But there are other types of extracts also. The ones that bring dark thoughts and unwelcome feelings.

I have been amazed at how often the past comes back into my mind in the most unexpected ways. Some word said, some passing moment stirs a flashback.

These sadly are more often negative. And it stems from the unfortunate legacy in life from more tears than smiles.

I don't mention it for pity purposes, but that by sharing, hoping in some way it will minister to others. For perhaps in so doing it might give some help to another.

To have lived in so many valleys, to have fallen so often and been scarred there is the reality such moments stick inside your gut. They may get forgotten for a while, but so often something happens to make feel so real again.

The person without faith struggles with the emotions by whatever means appeals to them. Trying mood enhancers or some other method to appease the pain inside.

Does it mean that faith in the Lord will result in some path where this can be stopped? As Christians can we expect God's Spirit to in anyway heal us of the same problems all of humanity experiences?

The truth is that we are all creatures who must learn to cope. Faith is simple a different method.

It is the joy that comforts because you are reminded of how tomorrow the day may be better. How you can wake up in eternity and then it all washes away in the blood of the Lamb.

What prevails for the person of faith is not always healing or deliverance. Lots of those who trust in the Lord still suffer from some weakness.

It doesn't mean they are being punished. That would not be the truth. It can be a factor, but doesn't have to be

And in reality we are given the choice to praise and trust. To savor the blessings and trials.

And most of all to keep trusting even when the life around does give us some reason to want to give up. Which never brings joy

Such is the walk that comes with the tests that don't stop just because we are on the right path.