Healing for our Nation by Pastor Karena Lout

My heart has been heavy by recent tragic events in our country. Sometimes words don’t suffice when people are suffering and in pain. We can add insult to injury in our attempt to comfort and understand. Our reaction can sometimes be to minimize what others are going through because we ourselves haven’t had the same experience or because we want to fix something that can’t be fixed overnight. But most of the time, the best response is to simply listen and empathize. Listen to someone’s story. Listen to understand. Weep with those who weep and of course, pray. Love closes the distance.   “If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.”   1 Corin. 12:26    Bill Johnson shared a very powerful message from 2 Chronicles 7:14, addressing the recent shootings, as well as the political state of our nation. God wants to transform our land from the inside out, healing deep fractures and systemic issues. We are called to partner with a spirit of humility to listen, pray, and move forward in faith until we see God’s Kingdom bring light to America.   Be encouraged that the love and light you each carry is making a difference more than you know and that Jesus is faithful to bring healing to our land.   Here is the link to Bill’s message: http://podcasts.ibethel.org/en/    Love, Karena