As I have watched my friends and family struggle through this unthinkable storm named Hurricane Harvey, I have also been encouraged by the ferocity of their faith. Thank you, Houston for showing our nation how to work together amid a storm. Giving God glory always. And showing us that God can (and will) carry you through.
God is With You
All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah. But no more so than the good times of his healing comfort—we get a full measure of that, too.
We Feel Your Pain
When we suffer for Jesus, it works out for your healing and salvation. If we are treated well, given a helping hand and encouraging word, that also works to your benefit, spurring you on, face forward, unflinching. Your hard times are also our hard times. When we see that you’re just as willing to endure the hard times as to enjoy the good times, we know you’re going to make it, no doubt about it.
Put Your Trust in God
We don’t want you in the dark, friends, about how hard it was when all this came down on us in Asia province. It was so bad we didn’t think we were going to make it. We felt like we’d been sent to death row, that it was all over for us. As it turned out, it was the best thing that could have happened. Instead of trusting in our own strength or wits to get out of it, we were forced to trust God totally—not a bad idea since he’s the God who raises the dead! And he did it, rescued us from certain doom. And he’ll do it again, rescuing us as many times as we need rescuing. You and your prayers are part of the rescue operation—I don’t want you in the dark about that either. I can see your faces even now, lifted in praise for God’s deliverance of us, a rescue in which your prayers played such a crucial part.
2 Corinthians 1:3-11
Houston Strong
I have seen Christ in you this past week during Hurricane Harvey…and I just want to say Thank You! Your tenacity is encouraging, so keep fighting the fight! Leading by example, you are teaching us all a great lesson.
I’ve been praying for you and your family and friends. I hope all of you are safe.
Thanks so much for praying! So many people have lost everything. Yet, even in this worst moment, many are pitching in and helping others in need. It has been encouraging to see an outpouring of love in these affected communities.