Leading Them to a New Normal

Pixabay (2015), CC0 Public Domain[/caption] Recently, over the course of just one month, several friends had major catastrophes in their lives. The devastations knocked each one to her knees. When they got up, despair blinded them to any hope that things could ever get better.

Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him to Damascus. For three days he was unable to see ... Acts 9:8-9

Saul was blinded too, on the road to Damascus. There, the light of Jesus knocked him to the ground; and Jesus asked him, "Why are you persecuting me?" As Saul got back on his feet, he discovered he couldn't see. His traveling mates had to lead him by the hand the rest of the way. For three whole days, Saul remained without his sight. Then Jesus sent Ananias to heal him. When Ananias placed his hands on Saul, the Holy Spirit filled him, causing the scales of blindness to fall away. At once, Saul began to proclaim Jesus as the Son of God. We are all called to be like Saul's traveling mates and Ananias. As mothers, wives, daughters, sisters and friends, when people we love experience a devastating blow, we're supposed to take them by the hand and help lead them through. Yes, it's God's job to heal them, but He can do so through our listening ears, our comforting shoulders, and our steadfast prayers. It may take three days, like Saul, for them to see and come to terms with their new normal, or it may take three weeks, three months, or three years. Everyone's journey through hardship is different. But if we can abide by our loved ones, the Holy Spirit can use us to fill them with the wisdom and hope they need to embrace their new normal.