ROAD to 31 Devotional Day 13 - "Oh God, Can You Hear Me?"

Listen to "Oh God" from my new mixtape https://m.soundcloud.com/jeannie-ortega-2/oh-god

Last night 4 children were held hostage in Orlando and killed by their deranged father, this day 2 years ago a gunman opened fire in a nightclub in Orlando - becoming one of the deadliest massacres in U.S. history, by May of this year there had already been 23 school shootings in which people were injured or left dead, two volcano eruptions - one in Hawaii, another in Guatemala, a typhoon in China, one suicide every 23 seconds and the list goes on and on when it comes to devastating things taking place throughout the world.

My song "Oh God" is my child like cry to God, asking Him to help this broken world. We all know whether we want to admit it or not, that this world needs a savior. How else could we make it through, unless we find refuge in the loving arms of a savior? People like to say all the time, 'Why does God allow bad things to happen?' - forgetting that we live in a fallen world in which we constantly try to take charge of. But He said come to me with childlike faith. Meaning He wants us to look to Him as little children would look to their father to protect, to safeguard and to offer guidance and comfort through the difficult times.

Matthew 18:3 “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Of course, when bad things happen, we want to ask why Or put the blame on someone. God is not intimidated by that, in fact, He'd probably rather us let it out that way because what I've learned through my own heartbreaks, is that He wants us to ultimately find peace, strength and hope in Him - the only one that can truly reach deep enough to heal our despair.

Psalm 34:18 "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit"

Matthew 11:29 "Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls"

It's hard to keep the faith through tragedies that are inexplicable and I'm not pretending to have the answers. I know that paramedics, police officers, doctors and others in those types of fields see the worst of the worst sometimes and they question this narrative all the time.

I recently lost my second child in miscarriage and I can't even begin to imagine why God would allow it either but I do know that through it all, He was with me. He gave me a grace to know that my pain is not in vain and that although I don't see the full story, He is working good in the tragedy.

Life is not easy and it takes a lot of strength to overcome. The good news is, we don't have to handle it on our own. His grace is sufficient for us and His power in our lives is made perfect in weakness. He doesn't leave us comfortless and promises to be with us every step of the way but we have to allow Him to.

1 Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."

Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through him who strengthens me."

Prayer: Lord, there are things in my life that I've tried to get through in my own strength. There are hurts too deep that I've buried and have not allowed you to heal or provide comfort for. Today I give it all to you even the things that are too dark to repeat. Let your love overshadow it all. Help me to know that you do a good work even in the bad moments of life, giving me a testimony to share with others that may be suffering. Holy Spirit come, have your way in my heart and soul. Today I lay down my burdens and trade it for your joy. In Jesus name amen!!!