April 22nd, 2020: Living with an Afflicted Heart

 RCMP say gunman behind mass killing in Nova Scotia was 'injustice ...

 
What do we do when our heart is being afflicted? Affliction is what many of us have been experiencing for the last little while. Some have discovered that their relationships with their family help in dealing with affliction. Some have decided to go and give a hand to those who need help. Some have begun to pray quite intensely and that grants them peace.

One thing many of us have seen that people have become more generous with their resources, their talents, and their gifts. The amazing thing is when we do these things, we discover a new strength to endure in our walk with those who suffer. I am grateful to see the support from Canadians and Nova Scotians for the families of those who lost their lives this past weekend. The common message to these families is: "You are not alone."

Let us hope that our character will be sharpened and corrected in some ways as we learn how to live with an afflicted heart. New hope will surface. It is the kind of hope that helps us have our eyes on eternity. That is when we know that God is with us and we are not alone.

"But we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." (Romans 5:3-5)

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