Where does our help come from?

There are so many people surrounding us that are in need of help right now. We are seeing so many strong workers in our communities in the healthcare profession that are helping those in need due to COVID. They are giving all that they have to save and help as many as they are able to. We are seeing this courage and strength in our communities, our state, our country, and across the world. To all those in the professions that are helping during this time, particularly our healthcare workers, we want to extend our deepest gratitude for your service. I want to encourage each person to be in prayer for all who are helping with and/or affected by COVID including all of those who are battling it personally or the families and friends who have lost loved ones from this pandemic.

In Jonesboro, AR last night, a major tornado traveled for miles right down the major areas of the city. People who were home due to COVID lost their homes, businesses, and possibly jobs as this tornado ripped through the city and caused so much destruction. Thankfully, at this time, it is reported that not one life was lost due to the tornado. Many have commented that this normally busy area full of shops, restaurants, and the mall is usually filled with people on a Saturday at 5 pm. However, due to people staying home because of COVID, this normally busy place was NOT buzzing with people as it normally would be when the tornado hit. For this, we are so thankful. Please be in prayer for all of those affected by the disaster that this tornado has caused and for all of the workers and volunteers who are giving of their time and coming out of their homes to offer help in this time of great need.

It can be overwhelming during this time to listen to the news and to hear of all of the suffering that so many are experiencing. This morning, I had the blessing of listening online to Dr. Blake Ligon from Central Baptist Church from the Paragould AR campus. His message was based out of Psalm 46. He talked about disaster, destruction, and distress. He challenged us in the beginning that often “God’s idea of protection is so much bigger than our idea of His prevention.” He shared with us that God’s presence is more powerful than His prevention.

As he began, my heart and mind returned to these age old questions regarding God’s prevention. Often, we as people wonder why God did not prevent something. Why has God not prevented COVID? Why did God not prevent the tornado last night in Jonesboro, AR? I remember wondering why God allowed my husband to die in August 2011. I remember wrestling often with why God allowed my 18 year old son to die in a car accident in June 2013. These are questions that have been there since the beginning of time. Why do bad things happen? When they are happening to us individually then it is usually a much bigger struggle to work through and to come to peace with rather than when they have not personally changed our lives or the lives of our loved ones.

For those who are battling with COVID at this time or for those who have lost loved ones due to COVID in this battle, then it is a normal question of our hearts to wonder why. For those of us who have not been personally affected at this time by COVID then it is maybe not the same type of battle in our hearts and minds as for those who have been personally affected. It is the same for those who have been affected by the tornado. It will be quite different for someone to work through their feelings and questions who felt real terror as their home was ripped to shreds around them compared to someone who just saw this disaster on the news.

Whatever our situation is or has been, then it is always good for us to reflect on where are we getting our help from. Who or what are we trusting in? Pastor Blake reminded us this morning that God’s presence is with us in disaster. He explained that examples of disasters are found in nature, and that disasters are things that we cannot control in nature such as last night’s tornado. He explained that we feel fear when we trust in what we can see whether it is what we see on the news or in the stock market, etc. He said that “fear will be our ruler if we trust in what we see.” He encouraged us to choose faith over fear. He said that “faith is trusting in The One we cannot see.” He talked about how those in the path of the tornado last night were being told to go to their safe place. He then reminded us that God is The Safe Place. The Bible says that He is our shelter. He then talked about how God is present with us in destruction. He shared that destruction comes from what people bring upon people and nation upon nation. He reminded us that our God is both powerful and present even while destruction is occurring. He reminded us that we can know, trust, and believe that He wants to and will be with us. Pastor Blake also talked about our distress. He shared that “God is present with us in our distress.” He talked about verse 10 that says “Be still… (Cease striving, stop worrying) and know that I am God.” He encouraged us to be calm in God. He reminded us that in His Presence that The Bible says there is fullness of joy and that He promises to be with us always.His message was such a blessing to my heart and mind, and I am sure to countless others.

Let’s take a few moments to examine where our safe place is… not only in a physical storm such as a tornado, but in each day and moment of our lives. Is God our shelter and safe place? Do we turn to Him for our help? Do we trust in Him for our current needs and for our future? I am not one that comes to you in this as someone who has done any of these things perfectly. Surely not. I am able to share that as I have continued to heal and to grow and rebuild my faith and trust in God that I can thankfully share that He is my safe place. I am thankful for His presence and that I can still feel His fullness of joy and peace even in the midst of pain and suffering. It is my prayer that you will join me in this. I pray that you will know that He is with you even in the midst of disaster, destruction, and distress. I pray that your needs will be met and that you will find peace and hope in Him even though we are surrounded by much turmoil. I pray that you will find joy in His presence.

I entitled this “Where does our help come from?” I pray that whatever you are facing today that you are able to find your help in The Lord. May you know that He loves you. Nothing is able to separate you from His love. (Romans 8:38-39). May you know hope for your tomorrows in Him. May you know peace that passes all understanding during these difficult days. I was listening to the song “I lift my eyes” by Laura Story this afternoon as I was out walking our dogs. This beautiful song brought me back to the powerful message that I heard this morning by Pastor Blake. I want to lift my eyes to My Helper… The One who promises to never leave us nor forsake us no matter how dark our days may seem.

Will you lift your eyes with me? Will you let Him be your Help during all of your days? I pray that you will join the girls and I in letting Him keep your heart at peace as your rest in Him, our strong tower? We pray that you will journey with us as we put our faith and hope in The Lord. We send you all our love and prayers. Please reach out and connect if you would like through the email that comes directly to us. We will continue to pray for our community, our state, our country, our world, and for each of you. May you know that you are loved. May you know that you are not alone. May you have His hope, peace, and joy in the midst of all circumstances. Please take a few moments to read through the words listed below of Laura Story’s song and just click on the link to listen and to watch. We send you all our love and prayers.

#noexcusesnoregrets

#ourjourneycontinues

Listed below are the words to the song “I lift my eyes” by Laura Story and following that is the video link where you are able to hear this beautiful song.

“I lift my eyes” by Laura Story

I lift my eyes to the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord my God
My maker, creator, my sustainer protector
My defender, my saviour forever

My help comes from
The one who formed my heart
The one whose promise is forever

His love will keep my heart at peace
When I rest in Him, my strong tower
His breath can breathe new life in me
And tomorrow will bring happiness
Every sorrow turns to dancing
And His thoughts towards me bring joy overflowing

My help comes from
The one who rescued me
From fears and darkness that surround me
For all my days I long to walk with you
Until this life is through, I’ll follow

I lift my eyes, I lift my eyes
I lift my eyes to You my Lord, my God

My help comes from
The one who formed my heart
The one whose promise is forever, forever
For all my days I long to walk with you
Until this life is through, I’ll follow

I lift my eyes

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Kristi Kirk

Kristi grew up in North Dakota and attended the University of Minnesota at Moorhead where she completed her undergraduate studies in emotional and behavioral disorders. She moved to Arkansas where she later completed her masters in educational administration. Her heart and life have focused for many years on working with hurting kids that have been through much trauma and helping them to realize their potential and to overcome the difficulties that they were experiencing. She was married in 1993, and she and her husband had 3 children: PK who was born in 1995, Kylee was born in 1996, and MiKayla was born in 2000. After the deaths of her husband in 2011 and her son in 2013, her heart reaches out now to comfort those who are walking through the grieving process. She writes and speaks on how to deal with grief and pain whether it is your own or that of others, how to find hope, peace, and healing in the midst of trauma and tragedy, and tries to motivate others to live with no excuses and no regrets.

Where does our help come from?

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