Out of Control…

Things happen! Difficult things happen! Unfair things happen! Tragic things happen! Where do you go for understanding, for comfort? How do you respond to those unexpected tragedies?

OUT OF CONTROL…

In 2008,​​ Natalie Grant​​ released the song​​ In Christ Alone.​​ Read the words to the first line​​ below.

In Christ alone my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song.​​ 

Things happen! ​​ Difficult things happen! ​​ Unfair things happen! ​​ Tragic things happen!​​ ​​ Where do you go for understanding, for comfort? ​​ How do you respond to those unexpected tragedies? ​​ Is there truth to be considered in the lyrics written above?​​ 

Consider. ​​​​ Hope placed in any resource, except that of the promises of God, is at best​​ fleeting. ​​ Temporary​​ comfort,​​ brief​​ periods​​ of​​ peace,​​ momentary​​ relief, and abbreviated times without stress, can be found. ​​ Religion or religious entities offer​​ some answers. ​​ But, following a religious beliefs and customs, adhering to standards written by men, practicing rituals in order to attain peace are all things​​ WE​​ do. ​​ Consider.​​ If we had the power within ourselves to bring about true lasting peace in all circumstances, why did God send His Son to die on the cross? ​​​​ In Christ Alone…

1Pe 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

2Co 1:3​​ ​​ Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort;

A living hope. ​​​​ Living. ​​ Something that endures. ​​ Something active. ​​ Something in existence. ​​ Not dead. Not extinct.

In Christ alone my hope is found. ​​ ​​ Truth​​ –​​ when we take ourselves out of the equation. ​​ Dependence on me, on myself, in doing anything other than relying upon God’s promises, offers only temporary hope. ​​ Devastation​​ and unforeseen tragedy will kill all hope found in anything but Christ.

Ex 15:2 "The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation; This is my God, and I will praise Him; My father's God, and I will extol Him.

He is my light, my strength, my song. ​​​​ 

God created light. ​​  ​​ ​​​​ Ge 1:3-5 Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. And God called the light day, and the darkness He called night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day.

God gives light. ​​ He gives us understanding. ​​  ​​​​ Ps 119:105​​ Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path. ​​​​  ​​ ​​​​ Ps 119:130 The unfolding of Thy words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.

Christ is our strength. ​​ 1Ch 16:11 Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face continually.

How is Christ our strength? ​​​​ He is our force, our security, our majesty, our praise, our boldness, our power. ​​ Ps 29:11 The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace. ​​​​ Ps 37:39 But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their strength in time of trouble.

The Lord is my song. ​​​​ My reason for praise. ​​ 

Ps 103:1-5 (A Psalm of David.) Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits; Who pardons all your iniquities; Who heals all your diseases; Who redeems your life from the pit; Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; Who satisfies your years with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle.

Ps 34:1-6 (A Psalm of David when he feigned madness before Abimelech, who drove him) (away and he departed.) I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; the humble shall hear it and rejoice. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together. I sought the LORD, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. This poor man cried and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.

“This Cornerstone, this solid ground, firm through the fiercest drought and storm. What heights of love, what depths of peace, when fears are stilled, when strivings cease. My Comforter, my All in All, here in the love of Christ I stand.” ​​ 2008, Natalie Grant

Always out of our control…​​ ​​ NEVER OUT OF GOD’S CONTROL

Hope found in Christ gives us light in the darkness, strength when we’re weak and reason to praise at all times! ​​ 

Author: Sharyn Balogh

You know it's difficult to write about yourself. The most important fact I can disclose is that I'm saved by God's grace through faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. My desire is to live a life honoring to God in response for the gift of salvation I've been given. This is so much easier said than done! I struggle daily with right choices, right words, right thoughts, and right actions. My best and only defense against sin is the power of God in me and for that I am inexpressibly thankful. I have three amazing grown-up children who have responded to God's call in their lives along with their spouses. One of the great joys of my life is knowing my children and their families strive to serve and follow God. My grandchildren are another wonderful joy in my life! My husband and I are blessed with four beautiful grandchildren to date with another expected very soon on September 12th. We also are thankful for the comforting knowledge that an additional three of our grandchildren, a set of twins at three months gestation and a little boy, Isaac, at four and a half months gestation, are in our Savior's presence. I have attended the same church since the day my eyes were opened to Truth over thirty years ago. How fortunate it is to have been led by God’s hand immediately to a church body that follows the Bible, no man-made doctrines, just the Word clear and strong. My husband is my best friend, my confidant, my encourager, and I still can't believe how blessed I am by his example of love and generosity towards everyone around him. He is God-fearing, compassionate, and kind and I have learned so much from him. I am a daughter to my almost 92 year-old mother, sister to three brothers, a wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, aunt, great-aunt, neighbor and friend. That means, whomever is reading this, we probably have something in common! I love every unique role I have been placed in. I'm frequently stretched and sometimes feel like silly putty that wants to bounce right back into my comfort zone. My greatest ambition is to be a follower of Jesus; a light that shines for Him at all times, in all circumstances. So, there it is, a bit about me. I guess I was able to write about myself after all! However, my existence cannot be defined without Jesus Christ, my Lord and my Savior. His love has permeated my life to His glory and my eternal thankfulness.