Fully Relying on God

My mom sent me an email about this article awhile back - I started a post on it and it has just kind of been stuck in "draft" mode. This article is an interview with a guy whose daughter was shot in a church shooting in Ft Worth several years ago. He had a couple of very interesting quotes

http://www.gosanangelo.com/news/2009/mar/21/terry-mattingly/

This kind of tragedy, said Meredith, is not "something you get over with three points and a poem," a dose of scripture, a verse of "Victory in Jesus" and a proclamation that, "Everything's fine. Let's move on."

"Every day with Jesus is not sweeter than the day before," said Meredith, in a sermon that swung from tears to gospel singing to laughter. "Some days are evil. In fact, the Bible says, 'Stand that you might be able to stand in the evil day.'

"People are going to ask, 'When are you going to get over this?' You're never going to get over this, but by God's grace you're going to get through it. And God will give you joy and peace in the midst of it, in the midst of the tears and the heartache. Have you learned that? You are learning it. It's the praise you give with a broken heart that is the greatest sacrifice you can offer God."

Back in 1999, he said: "If God really loves us, if God is all powerful, why in the world did he let this happen? Why does God allow evil to seemingly abound in this world? Why Columbine? ... Why do a million and a half unborn babies have their lives snuffed out before they have a chance to breathe a breath? Why do children die of hunger daily around the world? Why is there pain? Why is there suffering? Why is there mental illness? ... The question is, 'Where is God when we hurt?'"
The reality is that there is no way to avoid suffering. Thus, the crucial test is whether believers can face trials and tribulations without sliding in despair.

"God never promised us a life without trials. As Americans, we want a carefree and happy life. We think that's God's will for our lives. Get a clue. God's will for your life is to make you into the image of his Son, and that only happens through the heartaches and trials of life."

I don't really have anything else to add except a verse that I read this morning (what a coincidence?) Mark 9:49 "For everyone will be seasoned with fire . . ." The Nelson Study Bible says this about the verse "refers to the trials and judgments that all will face - believers with trials that purify faith"
Thanks Mom!