Do not lean just on your own understanding, but God's

Do you wonder why particular things happen in life that are sad, horrible and make no sense? Regardless of how hard you pray, they don't seem to change. People ask, "How can a merciful God allow this to occur? He didn't deserve this. Why is she having to suffer so long?"

Usually, in the instances to which I am referring, the people were in very bad health, and death could be considered a blessing. But to loved ones, death never seems to be a good thing, at least, until one has had the time and energy to delve into himself to try to find the answers.

I am experiencing feelings one experiences when someone he loves is going through an unreal amount of suffering. I have a relative who has been ill for a few years. She is middle-aged and has a husband and a daughter in school. Ruby is still battling her disease. Only God knows the outcome. Our whole family is praying for her healing. Although she seems to be going downhill quickly, miracles do happen and we are all hoping for the best -- that God heals her -- the best scenario in our estimation.

It's strange how God places things at your fingertips when you need them most. You don't necessarily ask for them to appear, but there they are, staring up at you from a page, a spoken word or from yet another source.

I subscribe to a Bible Scripture resource on the Internet. Last week, as I opened my emails, I stumbled on one that was just what I needed to hear, especially now. Proverbs 3: 5-6 said, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."

I immediately thought of my close and dear relative, Ruby. I could not understand why she was in the shape that she is now in.

However, reading that particular Scripture made me step back and take a deep breath. I breathed a sigh of relief. I needed to hear that passage. God does take away all our fears, and fear is what causes you to become distraught -- the fear of not knowing, the desire for someone's healing, in my case.

If your loved one dies, you often look backward and ask many "what ifs" -- maybe express regrets and emphasize and sympathize for what they had to endure in life. Of course, you miss them, love them and wish they were still with you.

However, when someone's passing or other hardships affect you greatly, you have to draw on God, if you're Christian, or another higher power you believe in. Most of all, after a time to grieve and collect yourself, you must go on living. Your loved one would desire you continue going on and remaining joyful. There is no virtue in being a martyr. It isn't going to help anyone if you become angry, remorseful or abnormally grief-stricken.

So many things happen that we cannot explain. Often, occurrences are laudable ones as well as undesirable ones. Once again you can't lean on your own understanding. You have to allow faith to do its part.

According to the Scripture in Proverbs, promises are made to you. You are to let Jesus take the wheel, as the song says, knowing that if you acknowledge Him, God will make things right for you.

You aren't supposed to understand everything. So be comforted knowing that you don't have to depend on yourself, because you have an ever faithful ally, an all-powerful father who looks out for you.

As I am experiencing sadness in dealing with the illness of my relative, it is comforting to know that God does have things under His control. She, too, is in safe hands, although I, don't understand the reason and, I too, keep asking, "Why?"