Grief Transformed

"Sometimes God cannot reach a person He wants to save because the person won't listen. God might prompt the rebellious one to hurt a Christian in order to set in motion a chain of events that will demonstrate the power of God's love..." "He may use those events to turn their hearts around, to bless them, and consequently to bless others...God views this process...as one of His most powerful evangelistic tools. Thus our suffering can be used for His purposes. We are His avenue of entrance to the hearts of God's recalcitrant children. That is why we must hold fast to Christ our Lord and His example of forgiving love." -Sanford

The Father is willing to use whatever means necessary to bring His children home. He asks His own to become like Him in suffering, so that the prodigals can finally see Him. That He trusts us enough to stand firm and remain faithful as we are torn is a mystery. But the healing comes when we accept what seems hardest to bare because with grace we are lifted to His perspective. Grief is then transformed into long-suffering love.