Thankful that God is in charge, and that His love is sure

Sometimes life is tough and comes at you faster than you can anticipate, faster than I am personally able to deal with the trials and challenges.

In all of life’s trials I am thankful for the truth God shares in His Word and for His eternal love in Jesus. Romans 8:38-39 says, “38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” When life’s challenges are bigger than I am, I am comforted and strengthened to know that nothing can separate me from God’s love in Jesus!

When a close friend and mentor is going through serious surgery, “Nothing is able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

When loved ones and friends may be in the path of a dangerous hurricane, “Nothing is able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

When family concerns tear at your heart, “Nothing is able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

When the world around us is turning away from God, “Nothing is able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

When medical concerns occur in our lives and in the lives of family, “Nothing is able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

When a friend and colleague faces the realities of cancer, “Nothing is able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

When we have concerns about the economy and finances, “Nothing is able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

When the church as we have known it faces truly difficult challenges, “Nothing is able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

When a loved one is called home and we will no longer see them in this life, “Nothing is able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

This Friday I, to some extent, had all of these concerns on my heart at once. When all of these trials are happening at the same time in our lives, and when we know that we don’t personally have all the answers, “Nothing is able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

But, I am not alone. All of us face life challenges from time to time. But, the word “challenge” seems somewhat tame when talking about cancer, or family concerns, or death. These times of pain wrench at my gut and can make us all question where God is, and if he loves us. For these moments when life seems overwhelming, God gives strength and hope in the midst of the worst that life can throw at us. “Nothing isable to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

As you face the pain, the challenges, and the trials of life may the assurance of the love of God give you strength and hope. “38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Jonathan Rockey is pastor at St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer. This column is the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman or its parent company, Wick Communications.