There’s no getting around the fact that while here on earth, life has the capacity to hurt. I bet there are a few who read here who are smack dab in the middle of hurt.

I am sorry.

I know it’s a drag.

Sometimes to just know that someone else can acknowledge that life hurts helps.

I was reminded some of pain and agony this morning.

During my reading I found myself in Psalm 71. It’s here I see the author seems to be in the place I will frequently find myself. In fact, in some respect even right now. I’d like to share the set of verses with you.

“Your righteousness, O God,

reaches the high heavens.

You who have done great things,

O God, who is like you?

You who have made me see many troubles and calamities

will revive me again;

from the depths of the earth

you will bring me up again.

You will increase my greatness

and comfort me again.” Psalm 71:19-21

For whatever reason the one who created each of us not only allows it, but according to this passage actually MAKES us see the troubles we face.

If I am honest, this causes me to feel quite angry sometimes. Quite angry indeed. Why would he make us see many troubles and calamities?

Is he cruel? A Sadist? A Tyrant?

Maybe.

Or maybe he’s just a dad.

All of my children, I am sure, will remember days well in which they felt I was making them see troubles and calamities. Any discipline carried out against the actions of a small person will likely be seen by said small person (in their limited ability to grasp and understand) as a harsh, cruel, and mean action.

I guess in a manner of speaking this is one way I am able to reconcile this treatment we all face.

We are made to see trouble and calamity by the one who claims to love us so much he gave us his son.

Or…is the Psalmist being a baby?

Perhaps he’s just baring his feelings raw?

I’m not sure.

The remainder of the Psalm takes a turn that reminds me of how to respond and how to be.

“I will also praise you with the harp

for your faithfulness, O my God;

I will sing praises to you with the lyre,

O Holy One of Israel.

My lips will shout for joy,

when I sing praises to you;

my soul also, which you have redeemed.

And my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long,

for they have been put to shame and disappointed

who sought to do me hurt.” Psalm 71:22-24

It seems I am being encouraged to remember the good that has also come.

He that giveth has the power to taketh away.

The one who owns and makes everything is under no obligation to share it or allow me to enjoy or use it. It’s only through his generosity on a given day that I am able.

Warts and all this life is all I (we) have. I suppose we best take it for what it’s worth and deal with whatever comes down the pike.

He’s allowing whatever it is.

I guess, if scripture is our model, we must remain in a state of praise over it regardless…no matter how tired, sore, and angry we may feel at the time.

Keep On Rollin’

There is of course the Anthony Family Anthem. I’ll share it with you right now.

A number of years ago my son Levi was having a little trouble. Well, a lot of trouble and life was not going his way. He was in a state of depression and frustration over a few things. It was a very hard time.

It was here that I shared one of my all time favorite songs with him; REO Speedwagon “Roll With the Changes”. Blasted it while we drove around I believe in the Toyota Solara I owned at the time.

Now, whenever life gets hard, most in our family turn that song on and remind ourselves, we can do nothing but roll with the changes upon our lives. We must “keep on rollin’…” We are known to say that to each other often as code word for “get on with it…you can change none of this”.

Interestingly, in studying the lyrics today, while not written from a Christian message perspective, and in fact is about a male/female relationship, the meatiest part of the lyrics could almost be words from God talking directly to us as we face the trouble and pain he’s allowing. See what you think.

God Says

So if you're tired of the same old story
Oh, turn some pages
I'll be here when you are ready
To roll with the changes
Yeah, yeah, whoo

Our Reply
I knew it had to happen, felt the tables turnin'
Got me through my darkest hour
I heard the thunder clappin', felt the desert burnin'
Until you poured on me like a sweet sun shower

God Again Says
So if you're tired of that same old story
Oh, turn some pages
I'll be here when you are ready
To roll with the changes
Oh, yeah

I think that’s sorta what it’s like.

I’ll leave you with the only version I could find of this one on Youtube. (I still keep hoping Levi learns this on his Guitar).

Now, I need to go put this song on and listen.